America’s military veterans living in rural communities would receive improved federal assistance with travel necessary for counseling, mental health services, health care, vocational rehabilitation, and other services furnished by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under a bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).
“Where our veterans live should not dictate their access to care, which is why this bill is so important,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers, co-chair of the Military Families Caucus.
“Congress has made great strides in increasing access to care for rural veterans, and we can build on that success by providing assistance for rural veterans who have to travel long distances to make their medical appointments,” Sen. Moran said. “This legislation would make permanent successful VA transportation programs, authorize transportation pilot programs for low-income veterans and enhance other public transportation options.”
Rep. McMorris Rodgers on Aug. 6 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021, H.R. 4961, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA). Sen. Moran did the same for companion legislation, S. 2627, which he introduced on Aug. 5 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT).
If enacted, the measure would make permanent two successful initiatives providing veterans with transportation services and reimbursement for travel to and from VA medical facilities, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers, and would streamline the certification process for volunteers who sign up to transport veterans to their appointments.
Among several other provisions, three new pilot programs also would be created under the proposed bill: to expand the transportation reimbursement program and allow veterans to access reimbursements two days in advance of confirmed medical appointments; to help veterans in rural, highly rural, or tribal areas travel to access resources provided by veteran centers; and for state, county, tribal, and city governments to improve public transportation connections that enhance access to facilities serving veterans, the summary says.
“Traveling to and from VA medical centers is one of the most challenging obstacles for veterans to overcome in rural eastern Washington, and it often results in missed appointments for healthcare services,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers added. “Providing transportation services and reimbursement for travel to VA medical facilities will ease this undue burden, improve access to care, and lead to more positive outcomes for veterans in eastern Washington.”
Disabled American Veterans recently endorsed the measure.