Given the amount of bad, though revealing, press that the Veterans Administration has dealt with in recent times, any news that suggests the people inside the Beltway are finally getting the message and putting together meaningful programs to support veterans must be viewed as very good news.

Take, for example, what U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek has started. It’s a two-year program and legislative agenda aimed at aiding the country’s military veterans by making improvements to the Veterans Administration system. From what we can tell so far, it looks like a step in the right direction.

According to a story written by Mining Journal Staff Writer John Pepin that appeared on Monday’s front page, the initiative is designed to provide military veterans an opportunity to learn about, and gain greater access to, the benefits they have earned.

Through the effort, Benishek will also be able to hear from veterans directly about issues they are facing. The Crystal Falls Republican will also monitor the implementation of those reforms enacted last year to get veterans off VA waiting lists.

The story cited a handful of specific efforts including holding a series of veterans clinics throughout the First Congressional District to give veterans direct access to an array of veterans benefit organizations and experts; expansion of the Veterans Advisory Council, a group of veterans from all age groups and service branches who advise Benishek on issues affecting veterans; and introduction of legislation to continue to hold VA officials accountable and to address the high rate of suicide among returning soldiers.

Benishek, who spent years working the VA medical system as a practicing physician, cited the many sacrifices servicemen and women make while on active duty and how the nation has an obligation to provide appropriate care once they’re home.

We couldn’t agree more.