EDITORIAL: Veterans Choice gets a checkup

The much-ballyhooed program called Veterans Choice is giving veterans headaches rather than choices, so it’s justified to see Congress moving to fix the program.

Montana’s U.S. senators on Thursday announced legislation to repair the flaws in Veterans Choice and, it is hoped, give veterans speedier access to medical care.

Veterans Choice was designed to help veterans get swifter care by having private companies schedule their appointments. Except that promised streamlining of appointments didn’t work, particularly for Montana veterans.

The legislation being backed by Montana Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines intends to give some of the flexibility and funding lost due to Veterans Choice back to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

That would be welcome news to many local veterans who have been vexed by long wait times and payment challenges brought on by Veterans Choice.

In Montana, there are 5,000 unscheduled appointments through Veterans Choice, according to Tester’s office. More than half the veterans on that list have waited more than three months to see doctors.

And Tester noted that since Veterans Choice was rolled out, his staff’s workload related to veterans’ issues has grown by 20 percent.

Obviously, Veterans Choice is not the solution to veteran health care, so it’s refreshing to see Congress taking action to remedy the problem.

Enjoy Olympic experience!

The Flathead Valley has some very special athletes competing in a variety of events today.

The Glacier Area Spring Games for Special Olympics commence at 9 a.m. this morning at Legends Stadium, and then 206 Special Olympians from throughout the region are off and running for a day full of spirited competition, from track and field events to cycling, golf, bocce ball, bowling, powerlifting, tennis and softball throwing and aquatics. If your spirit needs lifting, go cheer for these exuberant youngsters who never fail to give their all. For details go to http://somt.org/event/glar-spring-area-games/