La Crosse, WI – Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced that $121 million was included in the recently passed House funding bill to implement pain management reforms included in the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act, which Rep. Kind introduced and helped pass into law. The funding will help implement updates to pain management practices within the VA, including strengthening provider education and training and improving patient advocacy. The appropriations package now must pass the Senate before it can be signed into law.
“Securing funding for the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act was my highest priority for this appropriations bill. It’s critical that we ensure our veterans and their families have the accountability they deserve,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “Funding this legislation takes a significant step forward in addressing the opioid epidemic and ensuring responsible prescribing practices within the VA. I’m glad to see strong support for the implementation of this vital legislation, and I will continue to fight to ensure our brave men and women in uniform receive the highest quality of care when they come home. It’s time for the Senate to do its part to secure this critical funding.”
Earlier this year, Rep. Kind led a bipartisan letter requesting robust funding to support the continued implementation of the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act. Rep. Kind has worked tirelessly to ensure issues seen at the Tomah VA never happen again. A key part of that was passing the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act in 2016 and pushing for strong funding to fully implement the law. The law was named in honor of Jason Simcakoski, a Wisconsin veteran who tragically lost his life at the Tomah VA Medical Center in 2014.
Rep. Kind also helped secure $313 million in funding for Veterans Suicide Prevention and Outreach in the funding bill, an increase of $91 million from FY20.
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