This week, Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer voiced his concerns over changes to the Veterans Integrated Services Network or VISN 23 in his area, to VA leaders after some Minnesota veterans have watched their services get cut in recent months…

In a letter to VISN Director Robert McDivitt, Emmer says that Home and Community Based Services or HCBS have been altered since decision making in the process was moved from the local to national levels..”Leaving veterans who have relied on these services for years unsettled upon receiving their new notices of denial.”

Emmer’s letter goes on to point out specific cases where veterans have suffered from the changes, including veterans who may be elderly or suffering from mental health conditions, who are all of the sudden left without a visit from care professionals, or transportation to appointments that are essential for their well being.

And VISN 23 also effects veterans who live in Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

This is important because when we get older, many of us don’t have a lot of people we can depend on. This means we can’t get rides to the doctor when we need them, or if we need help in the home, there are no guarantees we’ll ever get it.

Many of us will end up suffering quietly in solitude.

If you’re a veteran in this area and have been experiencing cuts in HCBS, then get on the phone and call your representative. Let’s get the answers that we deserve.

You can read Emmer’s letter HERE

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