That is insane. They’re kicking DAV volunteer drivers to the curb over a vaccine mandate? I say again- they wish to kick VOLUNTEERS to the curb? These are the folks, many who’re veterans themselves, who’re giving of their time to assist transport veterans to their VA medical appointments.
That was my response after getting an electronic mail from a listener who volunteers for the Disabled American Veterans in Sanders County, Montana.
Sanders Co. DAV Volunteer: I used to be alarmed and saddened be notified, quick discover, on Monday July 18, by Montana Veterans Administration in Helena that myself and others of the Sanders County Volunteer Drivers for the DAV Vans who’re unvaccinated with both a non secular or medical exemption on file should cease driving as a result of VHA Directive 1193.01.
The DAV volunteer additionally advised me that the coverage will go into impact on August 1st and can successfully shut down service for not less than 200 veterans.
Sanders Co. DAV Volunteer: To be compliant with VHA Directive 1193.01 VA management made the choice to begin weekly COVID-19 testing for these unvaccinated Volunteer Drivers with both a non secular or medical exemption, to be scheduled by appointment, to be finished at their nearest VA Clinic [Missoula or Kalispell] previous to being cleared to move veterans. Veterans are held to a minimal of 72 hours to request transport; anybody can see how this is able to develop right into a scheduling nightmare for each the Volunteers and Veterans.
I despatched a request for extra info to 2 separate media contacts on the Montana VA very early Monday morning and haven’t obtained a response. Nonetheless, Montana Congressman Matt Rosendale (R-MT) was already on high of it, and joined me Tuesday morning on the radio.
Rep. Rosendale: I serve on the Veterans Affairs Committee, and I see the dismantling of our complete army and the Veterans Administration itself. That is simply completely loopy. Anybody who’s attempting to serve with out having this overreach of federal authorities into their private lives, is being faraway from the the army, and even the help system via the Veterans Administration. And I, once more this week we shall be combating with Secretary McDonough and attempting to get this rule reinterpreted- is all it’s. We’re speaking about interpretation is what’s inflicting these volunteers to not be capable of carry out their duties.
Rosendale added this on the subject of testing necessities, particularly in distant areas like Sanders County.
Rep. Rosendale: If you have a look at the logistics of even attempting to have them be examined earlier than scheduling an appointment and driving a veteran, the timeframe simply does not even work out.
Full audio with Congressman Rosendale:
Here is the total e-mail shared with permission by Lark Chadwick:
Finish of an period. None of us might have foreseen this?
Finish of DAV Volunteer Transportation Vans in Sanders Co.
That is an emotional and troublesome letter to jot down as there are at current over 200 veterans that depend on and shall be negatively impacted by this. Vets who depend on the DAV VTN service to get to their VA appointments.
I used to be alarmed and saddened be notified, quick discover, on Monday July 18, by Montana Veterans Administration in Helena that myself and others of the Sanders County Volunteer Drivers for the DAV Vans who’re unvaccinated with both a non secular or medical exemption on file should cease driving as a result of VHA Directive 1193.01.
To be compliant with VHA Directive 1193.01 VA management made the choice to begin weekly COVID-19 testing for these unvaccinated Volunteer Drivers with both a non secular or medical exemption, to be scheduled by appointment, to be finished at their nearest VA Clinic [Missoula or Kalispell] previous to being cleared to move veterans. Veterans are held to a minimal of 72 hours to request transport; anybody can see how this is able to develop right into a scheduling nightmare for each the Volunteers and Veterans.
This requirement will start beginning August 1, 2022.
If Volunteer drivers with spiritual or medical exemption on file who don’t adjust to the weekly Covid-19 testing requirement, then VA will take away them as a Volunteer Driver. The lack of vital variety of our Sanders County Volunteer Drivers and the Native Space Coordinator will crush this Native Space’s capacity to proceed.
After 16+ years of service to Sanders County Veterans, transporting them safely to their VA authorised medical appointments FREE OF CHARGE, driving from 14 to 25 transports per 30 days over many miles to Missoula, Kalispell, Helena, and different locations, circumstances are making it troublesome to proceed.
A lot because of the residents of Sanders County who’ve been beneficiant financially in help of our Native DAV program over time, contributing each small and bigger quantities in direction of the acquisition and substitute of DAV Vans to maintain the wheels rolling for our Veterans. The older Vans have been returned to DAV for reassignment or public sale, at the moment Sanders County DAV fleet boasts 4 Vans, 3 newer [2018, 2019, & 2021] and 1 older [2014] all energetic and in good situation, and on many days most or all Vans in Sanders County have been one the street serving our Veterans. With out Volunteers to help that fleet, VA could name them to Helen for reassignment.
Lark Chadwick, Volunteer 2008 – presently?
LAC DAV VTN Thompson Falls.
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