While Veteran's Affairs provides health services for veterans, many live in rural areas without easy access to VA facilities. Getting to a VA hospital can be even more onerous for aging veterans, often the population that needs to see doctors the most.
The Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021 would help rectify this by providing transportation services and reimbursement of travel expenses for travel to VA facilities by veterans living in rural areas that require long-distance travel.
The bill has been introduced in the Senate in a bipartisan fashion by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.).
The bill aims to create a veterans transportation service that would allow VA to hire drivers to take veterans to and from their doctor appointments, to create a pilot program that would provide upfront money for travel expenses, and an oversight function through the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that would ensure these programs are run appropriately.
"When it comes to accessing essential care and services, far too many veterans in rural states like Montana face a disproportionate number of barriers," Sen. Tester stated in a press release. "Our bipartisan bill expands initiatives proven to streamline travel services and benefits for veterans in rural communities, ensuring more folks can get to their appointments no matter where they live."
Congressional Representatives Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) are introducing a companion bill in the house.
The full text of the bill itself can be found here.
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Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
