US Rep. Ryan Zinke criticized the Biden administration and the VA’s health care system at a town hall-style debate hosted by the Veterans of Concern for America Monday night in Kalispell.
“It may come as a shock, but DC is a little confused,” said Zinke, causing laughter from the audience.
He said the Veterans Affairs Corps is failing its job when it comes to providing veterans with adequate care. Veterans shouldn’t need formal letters or requests from themselves or other members of the legislative delegation to receive proper medical care, but that’s the reality, he said.
“We’re going to have to reorganize,” Mr. Zinke said of federal agencies. “Are broken.”
Republican lawmakers criticized the waiting times many veterans face to seek treatment, especially regarding mental health. He said if he had a heart attack or other life-threatening illness, he would go to the emergency room and get immediate treatment. The same should be normal for suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues.
“I want you to have peace of mind that it can be fixed,” Zinke said of the agency.
States are increasingly adopting so-called red flag laws in the wake of mass shootings in response to concerns that seeking mental health help could result in loss of access to firearms, Zinke said. I advised him to contact his office to resolve the issue.
While the event focused on the Veterans Affairs Corps, Zinke used the opportunity to raise alarm about the country’s international relations, domestic spending and what he sees as problems within the Navy.
Zinke said the US lacks allies in the Pacific. Regarding the ongoing conflict in Europe, Zinke accused the Biden administration of haphazardly writing what he called a blank check to Ukraine.
Zinke had previously spoken out in support of arming Ukraine against Russia, which invaded the former Soviet republics in February 2022. In an interview with Hungry Horse News last March, then-congressional candidate Zinke encouraged arms to Kiev. Drone Weapons and Humanitarian Aid.
There is a lack of accountability at home and there is a need to better manage state spending, especially on government bonds, Zinke said.
“We have trust issues in this country because trust has been betrayed,” he said.
Zinke, a former SEAL, also expressed concern about the Navy, saying it was in turmoil. She cited the inclusion of female recruits in the U.S. Marine Corps and the lack of physical certification standards as reasons for her criticism.
Women have been allowed to serve as regular Marines since 1948, but were only allowed to serve in the Corps during the Obama administration. From 2013 to 2016, the Department of Defense lifted a ban on women serving in combat duty across the military.
Zinke also added laughter by saying that Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro believes the biggest threat to the country is climate change.
The June 19 event was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell by Concerned Veterans for America, a nonprofit that claims to be a veterans rights group.
Nonprofit speakers highlighted community care entitlements that allow veterans to receive care locally using veteran benefits. They criticized the VA for removing the Mission Act website that showcased admission and acceptance criteria, and for those interested, the nonprofit created a replacement for the previous website. encouraged to visit VAmissionact.com.
Contact reporter Kate Heston at [email protected] or 758-4459.
