Emmer leads Minnesota delegation in requesting fair VA emergency transport for veterans

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) recently led the Minnesota delegation in requesting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide improved emergency transportation care for America’s military veterans.

Specifically, the bipartisan, bicameral contingent of 10 lawmakers sent a Sept. 22 letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough asking that the VA revise its existing regulations to ensure veterans are receiving fair coverage for medical transportation, regardless of a veteran’s service-connected disability rating.

“No veteran should have to wonder how their medical bills will be paid. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for us, and it is unconscionable that they have been saddled with disparate medical costs to receive care when they need it most,” Rep. Emmer said in a related statement. “We must correct this oversight and remove this barrier to care.”

Under current VA regulations, emergency care authorizations cover the emergency treatment but do not allow for reimbursement of emergency transportation, except in situations where the veteran patient’s disability is 30 percent service-connected or greater, according to their letter.

“In such cases, the VA processes the emergency transportation claim under the beneficiary travel office,” they wrote. “There is no need for the VA to process 1703 emergency transportation claims this way.”

Instead, wrote the lawmakers, the VA should amend its regulations by adding language that includes such transport in the 1703 authorization for the episode of emergency treatment. This will provide coverage to all veterans who receive such care and not just those eligible for beneficiary travel benefits, according to their letter.

“Representative Emmer, our entire congressional delegation and I are urging the VA to prevent veterans from being charged for emergency ambulance transportation costs,” said U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who signed on to the letter.

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN), who also signed the letter, said it’s critical that veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned and deserve, including fair coverage for medical transportation. “I’m proud to join the bipartisan group of my Minnesota colleagues to make sure our veterans are cared for at every step while receiving the care they need,” he said.