On behalf of more than 1,000 rural veterans in Missouri, Sen. Claire McCaskill last week called on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address the concerns of citizens and veterans living near the Salem Veterans Clinic who want to see service expanded from three days per month to five days per week.
McCaskill shared with the VA a petition, sponsored by the American Legion Post 99, that was signed by almost 6,000 constituents in Dent, Iron, Reynolds, Shannon and Texas counties, including 1,600 veterans.
The clinic is the only such facility in the state not regularly open five days a week.
McCaskill has been a longtime advocate for ensuring rural veterans receive the healthcare and services they deserve.
McCaskill has led several efforts to increase accountability and quality of veterans services. Earlier this year, McCaskill released a report detailing shameful treatment of veterans of World War II who were exposed to mustard gas, leading to her introduction of the Arla Harrell Act.
Aiming to continue improvements to the quality of customer service at statewide VA facilities, McCaskill last year announced the expansion of her successful “secret-shopper” program to the southwest Missouri area. The Veterans’ Customer Satisfaction Program allows veterans to share timely, confidential feedback about their VA healthcare visits, and helps provide oversight and accountability for VA healthcare facilities. Veterans seeking to participate in the Veterans’ Customer Satisfaction Program can visit McCaskill’s website, McCaskill.senate.gov/VCSP, and complete the confidential survey. Responses can be submitted after each healthcare visit.