New Veterans Affairs Rule Mirrors Gallego Bill for Rural Vets

Washington, D.C.:  Congressman Pete Gallego (TX-23) filed H.R. 1134, The Rural Veterans Healthcare Accessibility Improvement Act, only last month. Part of the bill assists veterans in rural areas with transportation to medical centers. This week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will adopt a rule to help veterans in rural areas with transportation to access healthcare.  The rule would provide grants to state agencies and veteran organizations that help these veterans with transportation.

“Too often, veterans are stranded and not afforded viable transportation to medical centers because the distance is too far, which is why I filed the Rural Veterans Healthcare Accessibility Improvement Act as my first legislation,” said Congressman Gallego. “I’m glad that the VA has adopted this important rule to expand access to health care for our veterans. As a country, we can always do more for those who have sacrificed so much. In rural areas, the distance to the nearest medical center can be a barrier to accessing care. Access to transportation will help many veterans gain access to the care they need.”

The grant, which will become final next month, would provide veterans affairs agencies and nonprofits free transportation to rural veterans in need of medical care. Nearly 30 percent of our nation’s more than 22 million Veterans live in rural areas and are more likely to be in poorer health than veterans living in urban areas. Veterans living in rural areas account for 41 percent of the total population receiving health care through the VA.