VA Clinic Needs Improvement

I recently had an annual physical appointment with the VA in Billings. When I was about halfway to Billings, I received a call from the VA that my appointment had been unavoidably cancelled. I was re-scheduled for a week later. I went on to Billings, as I had made additional arrangements because of the scheduled physical. These two trips incurred over 1,200 travel miles. I’ve spoken with other vets in our area who have been forced to drive to Billings or Miles City or Fort Harrison in Helena for various medical needs.

We have the new clinic facility up here in Glasgow, but for whatever reason it isn’t doctor staffed. I’m writing in hopes that we, the vets in the area, could and would contact our representatives, Sen. Tester, Sen. Baucus and Rep. Daines, and express our need for a doctor or other qualified medicinal personnel at our Glasgow VA Clinic. I had a brief conversation with the administrative personnel in Billings about this and they agreed that contacting our representatives in Washington, D.C., would be the way to go.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease and if all of us vets in this northeast Montana area voice our concerns and needs we may get some results.

I’ve included phone numbers of these gentlemen, and they can also be reached by email. Sen. Baucus 406-449-5480, Sen. Tester 866-554-4403; and Rep. Daines 406-502-1435.

Bob Strand

Fort Peck