The Republican Senator Dan Sullivan spoke to several dozen at an informal reception Wednesday afternoon.
Several dozen people turned out for a public reception with Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan Wednesday. As KDLG’s Hannah Colton reports, much of the talk centered on veterans' affairs issues.
Senator Sullivan spoke on several topics, including his efforts to make permanent an exemption on the EPA’s vessel discharge rule, and his work on a bill to encourage prosecution of human traffickers.
But the bulk of the hour and a half-long reception was spent on veteran’s affairs issues. A member of both the Veterans Affairs and the Senate Armed Services Committees, Sullivan says he’s focused on getting better healthcare for vets.
"You guys know, I’m a less government - more freedom - more economic freedom - let's unleash our great potential in this state and in this country... But the sacred trust and responsibility that the federal government has toward its veterans? That’s where we need MORE government. We have to do a better job, we have to."
Several attendees raised concerns about Vets’ lack of access to healthcare locally.
Isaac Wood works with the BBNA Aging and Disability services and volunteers as a tribal veteran’s representative. Wood says veterans often come to him frustrated about long waits to get a VA appointment
"And for the people who don’t have Medicaid or any insurance, they need a form of transportation, and if they don’t set it up themselves by calling the VA in Anchorage, they’re SOL."
Army, Navy and National Guard veteran Holly Johnson brought concerns about the new nationwide Veteran’s Choice Program, which was introduced last year as a way to reduce long waits and backlogs for the VA in the lower 48. Johnson says the program is not working in rural Alaska.
"One of our biggest challenges is we’re dealing with providers that can’t understand what our challenges are as veterans, especially when you’re dealing with people out here who are suffering with PTSD... we really don’t have counselors who can address those issues with us. On the other hand, the VA hospital is so ineffective, you can’t get your treatment there either. So as a veteran in the state of Alaska, you’re kinda in a catch-22 situation."
Acknowledging these challenges, Sullivan said he’s planning to bring a series of congressional hearings to Alaskan veterans next month.
"I have essentially demanded that the #3 guy in the VA come to Alaska in August and hold hearings with me throughout the state, so our vets can hear what’s working and not working, and they can fix what’s not working."
He didn’t know yet whether or not a hearing will be held in Dillingham.
After the reception, Wood says he was satisfied with Sullivan’s response.
"I’m impressed, yeah. I think he listened."
Also in attendance were Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott, Seth Cotton, Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten, and Representative Bryce Edgmon. The dignitaries toured Dillingham before departing for a private fundraiser in King Salmon Wednesday night.
Contact the author at hannah@kdlg.org.