Eloise Ogden/MDN Sen. John Hoeven, standing, talks about the Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act and other topics pertaining to veterans during a roundtable held in the Veterans Room in the Ward County Administration Building, Minot, on Monday. At left is Shaun Sipma, Minot mayor; and second to right, Dale DeKrey, director of the Fargo Veterans Administration (VA), and far right, Dr. Bret Weintraub, chief of staff of the Fargo VA.

Sen. John Hoeven brought together officials from the Fargo Veterans Affairs Health Care System, veteran service organizations and local veterans for a roundtable where he outlined efforts to improve veteran access to local health care, treatments for post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury and other topics pertaining to veterans.

The roundtable was held Monday in the Veterans Room of the Ward County Administration Building.

Hoeven discussed his efforts including to:

– Ensure the proper implementation of the VA MISSION Act, including key provisions of the senator’s Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act.

– Maintain the Veterans Care Coordination initiative at the Fargo VA to ensure community care appointments are scheduled in a timely manner.

– Secure expanded access to suicide prevention services and alternative treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

“The VA MISSION Act was a landmark piece of legislation for our nation’s veterans, meant to give them access to more convenient and quality health care options in their home communities,” said Hoeven, in information from his office.

“That’s why we continue to prioritize its implementation, so we achieve the best possible outcome for veterans, which includes getting rid of duplicative and costly regulations so more long-term care facilities can accept veteran patients. At the same time, we want this to be a smooth transition, which is why we are working with the VA and TriWest to maintain the Veterans Care Coordination initiative in Fargo. While we continue these efforts, we are also looking ahead toward the other ways we can improve the services available to veterans. We increasingly recognize the need for improved mental health care services through the VA, which is an ongoing priority and includes expanding access to alternative treatment options, like hyperbaric oxygen therapy,” he also said.

Hoeven has received a commitment from VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to visit North Dakota, which the senator is leveraging to advance the inclusion of a local Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) facility in the VA’s clinical demonstration program. Doing so would improve access to this treatment option for veterans in North Dakota and western Minnesota.

Those participating in the roundtable with Hoeven included Dale DeKrey, director, and Dr. Bret Weintraub, chief of staff, both with the Fargo VA; Shaun Sipma, Minot mayor; John Crosby, Ward County County Veterans Service officer; Richard Reuer, Honoring Those Who Served-Ministry Breakfast Group; Corey Malko N.D. Job Service’s Veterans Employment Services; Andy Heitkamp, Minot State University Veterans Center director; Dean Verstraete, American Legion Honor Guard captain; Shelly Weppler, Ward County Commission chairman; Mac McLeod, Minot Homeless Coalition executive director; and Hiedi Miller Minot Vet Center director. A number of Minot and area veterans attended the discussion.