Montana is becoming a prime destination for more and more veterans and their families. But are the state’s Veterans Affairs facilities prepared to help those that call Montana home?
Two veterans’ spouses sat down to share their stories of struggles with the VA.
In TJ’s heartfelt account, he shares his wife’s struggle to secure community care, only to be redirected to a VA facility in Colorado. The distances and hurdles imposed on them made her health challenges more difficult.
Similarly, Heidi recounts her husband’s ordeal—travelling eight hours across the state for routine tests, questioning why the VA didn’t opt for community care closer to home.
Spouses have a front row seat veterans’ struggles getting care. They watch and support as their veterans face unique health issues, canceled VA appointments, long waits for needed care, extensive drive times to facilities, and the mental toll of a system that doesn’t put the needs of veterans first.
TJ and Heidi’s stories highlight what thousands of veterans and their spouses face every day. The way VA can truly help veterans is to stop being a barrier to care and fully embrace community care as a great option for veterans.
Veterans in rural states like Montana can especially benefit from access to care without having to drive hours and/or across state lines to get routine, regular care.