The Watertown Daily Times - Rep. Stefanik Talks Veteran Health Care, Fort Drum During Jefferson County Tour

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By Gordon Block

Health care was a top priority for veterans Thursday, as north country advocates met with Rep. Elise M. Stefanik.

A major concern is making health care accessible through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Choice program. The program connects veterans to civilian providers when their VA wait is longer than 30 days, or if it would require more than 40 miles of driving.

"It means sometimes they have to travel," said Dwight J. Doane, commander at American Legion Post 61, where the roundtable was held. "They have no choice."

Ms. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, said she wanted to use her resources to make that process more simple. She added she was working to change the program's eligibility from 40 miles in a straight line, to measuring it by road distance.

"I'm working with some of the other members of Congress to address that issue, so that people in rural communities are able to access care closer to their homes, and they don't have to worry about transportation challenges," Ms. Stefanik said.

Also discussed was mental health care, protecting the GI Bill from cuts and increasing outreach to younger, more tech-savvy veterans.

The roundtable, featuring advocates from several counties, concluded for Ms. Stefanik a day of activity in the city and at Fort Drum.

Earlier in the day, Ms. Stefanik toured a hangar at the post's Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, where she looked at various drones, and climbed into an Apache helicopter.

She said the tour helped inform her work on the House Armed Service Committee.

The transfer of Apache helicopters from the National Guard to the Army, including Fort Drum, have been the topic of fierce debate within Congress. The transfer was opposed by Guard officials, and some lawmakers attempted to delay the transfer in last year's defense authorization bill. The plan includes the Army transferring Black Hawk helicopters to Guard units.

An aide for Ms. Stefanik said the 24 helicopters slated to go to Fort Drum will arrive by the middle of August.

Ms. Stefanik's appearance on post also included a tour of the post's Commissary and training facilities.

Ms. Stefanik said that keeping the on-post grocery store open was a key benefit mentioned by active and retired service members and their families, and that she'd fight for the stores within the committee.

Ms. Stefanik also met with representatives of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization.

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