WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined the entire Wisconsin congressional delegation in introducing a new bill to rename the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin after Jason Simcakoski, a Wisconsin veteran who tragically lost his life after battling addiction to opioids prescribed by the VA. 

“Jason’s tragic story is also one of determination, as he alerted law enforcement authorities to the deadly opioid prescription practices at the Tomah VA Medical Center while he himself was suffering from those abuses,” the senator said. “Renaming the Tomah VA Medical Center after Jason will honor his efforts to try to save himself and other veterans from the systemic abuses that occurred and serve as a constant reminder of the duty of care owed to every veteran.” 

Jason Simcakoski served in the Marine Corps and during his service, he sustained a significant head injury that required prolonged medical treatment at the Tomah VA Medical Center. Jason was overprescribed many medications, including opioids, and this eventually led to Jason’s tragic passing in 2014.

Sen. Johnson is joined on this legislation by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Representatives Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), and Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.).   

Full text of this legislation can be found here. 

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