Senator Tammy Baldwin's office issued the following yesterday:
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
For Planning Purposes
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov
(202) 224 – 6225
WEDNESDAY: U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Gus Bilirakis to Host Roundtable with Veterans Care Stakeholders and Simcakoski Family
In July, bipartisan VA reforms named after Wisconsin Marine veteran Jason Simcakoski were signed into law
“Realizing the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act” roundtable to address the opioid crisis and quality pain care for veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On WEDNESDAY, November 30 at 2:30PM ET, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) will lead a roundtable dialogue titled “Realizing the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act” to address the opioid crisis and quality pain care for veterans.
Senator Baldwin and Representative Bilrakis will be joined by members of the Simcakoski family, as well as officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), The American Legion, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
The roundtable will address veterans’ opioid safety and pain management, including the implementation of the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act that was signed into law in July as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. Key stakeholders will also discuss the VA’s progress in addressing opioid prescribing practices, the critical health care needs of veterans that Congress should focus on in the upcoming year, and how to realize the goals of Jason’s law: meaningful access to high-quality care, including more effective pain management services for our nation’s veterans; improved patient advocacy to give veterans and their families a stronger voice in their care; and enhanced hiring practices at the VA to ensure that the best health care providers are treating our veterans.
WHO: Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Representative Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
The Simcakoski Family
Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Organization Excellence, Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs
Verna Jones, Executive Director, The American Legion
Dr. Yngvild Olsen, Chair, Public Policy Committee, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
John Riley, National Commander, Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Carlos Fuentes, Deputy Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
WHAT: “Realizing the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act” Roundtable to Address the Opioid Crisis and Quality Pain Care for Veterans
WHEN: Wednesday, November 30, 2016
2:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM CT
WHERE: Senate Visitors Center – SVC 201
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veterans
