NBC Montana: New bills passed to build Missoula veterans clinic, address backlogs

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Bills that will impact veterans are making their way to the president’s desk. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed two of Sen. Jon Tester’s bills.

The first will provide funds to build a new clinic in Missoula. NBC Montana spoke with the senator Tuesday night. Tester said their current Veterans Affairs clinic is too small and no longer meets the needs of veterans. Tester says the new clinic will benefit all of Montana’s veterans.

Tester said he does not have a timeline for when the new clinic will open its doors. He said he will put pressure on the VA to find a location once the bill is signed.

The senator’s second bill, Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act, speeds up and simplifies the process veterans undergo when appealing their disability rating. That rating determines what kind of services and benefits veterans are eligible for.