U.S.

Senator Jon Tester Billings VA Clinic Dedication October 19, 2012 As prepared for delivery Thank you, Jay. Four years ago, I had the honor of standing with many of you to break ground on this Clinic. I remember it was so windy that we had to move things inside. We had to settle for a symbolic groundbreaking that day. But our message was clear progress was finally being made. And three years ago we celebrated something very real: a brand new clinic. AND a renewed commitment to live up to the promises we made to all American veterans. Today, we double down on that commitment as we break ground on this important expansion. When construction is finished, we will be able to serve more veterans with the care they earned. It will allow us to live up to the promise made to all men who sacrificed for our nation. And all of this--closer to home. But today didnt come without a fight. Three years ago on the same day we celebrated the completion of Phase One I called on the Secretary of the V-A to fund Phase Two. And I pledged to you to work with my colleagues on the Veterans Affairs Committee to get the job done. To build support, I brought V-A Secretary Eric Shinseki to Montana. I showed him the need for more services. And I secured the funding necessary to expand the clinic as a member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the V-A. But the V-A needed more convincing, so I pushed and I pushed so we could stand here today ready to help more Montana veterans access the care they earned closer to home. When construction is complete, the expanded clinic will offer new services that are currently only available at Fort Harrison. Veterans from around the region will have access to outpatient surgery and special services, as well as more space for primary-care services and physical and occupational therapy. But I also know that in a rural state like Montana, there will always be some veterans who need care in their homes or at local clinics.

Thats why I recently got the V-A to waive copays for telehealth services and announced new assistance to upgrade telehealth facilities across our state. As long as veterans call rural Montana home, Ill keep pushing for these valuable lifelines. With your help, well keep fighting for other critical services that improve veterans liveslike increasing the mileage reimbursement rate for veterans who travel long distances to get their health care. Montana veterans deserve the best facilities and the best health care providers available. And I will push the V-A to make sure those facilities are staffed with qualified health professionals to provide high-quality care. But days like today wouldnt be possible without support from folks like you. To all the doctors, nurses and clinic staff in the audience: thank you. And to everyone who pushed with me to get this expansion across the finish line: your work made the difference. But above all, thank you to our veterans. When you serve our country, you earn quality health care when you come home. And Ill keep working with you to make sure we keep our promise to you. Three years ago, I said that the building and dedication of this new facility reminds us all that our obligation to look after all those who have kept us safe does not stop when they come home. Expanding this Clinic renews our pledge not to forget the service and sacrifice of anyone who wears the uniform of our Nation. And with your support, Ill keep working day in and day out to keep that promise and make the Billings V-A Clinic into the best that the V-A has to offer. Our veterans earned nothing less. I look forward to watching the progress on this important facility as your senator in the months to come. To all those in service: Thank you. To all of you: Good luck. Keep up the good work. And God Bless.