This bill expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' transportation grant program to include county and tribal organizations, increases grant amounts, and prioritizes rural veterans' access to care.
Jon Ossoff
Senator
GA
The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs' transportation grant program by including county and tribal organizations as eligible grant recipients. The bill sets the maximum grant amount to $60,000, but allows it to increase to $80,000 if a vehicle purchase is required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It defines "rural" and "highly rural" using the Department of Agriculture's Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) coding system and authorizes such sums as may be necessary.
Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act Boosts Funding and Access for Vets in Remote Areas
The "Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act" aims to significantly improve how veterans in rural areas get to their medical appointments. This bill revamps an existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant program, making it easier for vets in remote locations to access the care they need.
Getting Vets Where They Need to Go
The core of this bill is about expanding a VA grant program that helps veterans with transportation. Previously focused on "highly rural" areas, the program now includes "rural" areas, broadening the reach. The bill defines these terms using the Department of Agriculture's Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCA) system (Section 2(e)), so we're talking about a standardized way of identifying who's eligible based on location.
More Help, More Hands on Deck
This isn't just about covering more ground; it's also about who can provide the help. The bill expands the list of organizations that can receive these grants. It now includes:
- County veterans service organizations
- Tribal organizations
This means more local groups can get involved in getting vets to their appointments (Section 2(c)).
Funding the Ride
The bill also bumps up the maximum grant amount. It goes up to $60,000, and, if a vehicle needs modifications to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that cap rises to $80,000 (Section 2(d)). Previously, from 2010-2022, there was a 3 million dollar limit. Now, they are removing that and authorizing whatever is needed. (Section 2(f)) Basically, if a vehicle needs to be accessible, there's more funding available to make it happen.
Real-World Impact
Imagine a veteran living on a reservation, miles from the nearest VA clinic. This bill could mean the difference between that vet getting regular checkups and going without. Or consider a county veterans service organization that's been struggling to fund a van to transport local vets. This increased grant could make that van a reality.
While the bill opens up opportunities, there are always things to watch. Making sure the funds are used correctly by the grant recipients will be key. Also, how the RUCA system is applied could matter – ensuring the right areas are classified as "rural" or "highly rural" will be important for fair access. Overall though, it is a solid bill that will help veterans.