Rep. Kind’s Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act Passes VA Committee

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind’s legislation to fix a number of problems seen at the Tomah VA, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, was passed by the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

“I am pleased to see our legislation move forward and hope that it will quickly be brought to the floor for a vote by the entire House,” said Rep. Kind. “We must make sure no other veterans and their families have to go through what the Simcakoski family and others have had to. One of the best ways to do this is to give veteran patients and their families a real role in VA oversight and to provide health care professionals better training on the negative effects of prescription painkillers.”

This bipartisan legislation requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to update pain management guidelines, strengthens provider education and training, improves patient advocacy, and authorizes a new commission to examine alternative treatments, among other provisions.

The Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act is supported by Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.