ICYMI: House Passes Problem Solvers Caucus-Endorsed Deliver for Veterans Act to Improve Access to Adaptive Vehicles for Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Deliver for Veterans Act (H.R.522), legislation to eliminate barriers for service-disabled veterans to access adaptive vehicles. The bill received broad bipartisan support, passing under suspension of the rules.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was led for endorsement by Representatives James Moylan (GU-AL) and Ed Case (HI-01) and has 18 additional cosponsors, five of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The Caucus officially endorsed the bill in February.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issues grants to cover the cost of adaptive vehicles – or adaptive equipment for existing vehicles – for veterans with service-related disabilities. However, current law prohibits veterans from using VA grant funds to ship the vehicles or equipment to their homes. With shipping costs often exceeding $3,000 for those living in remote locations and non-contiguous U.S. states and territories, this policy imposes an unnecessary financial hardship on veterans simply trying to access their disability benefits.
The Deliver for Veterans Act would modify the VA’s Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program to cover shipping costs for adaptive vehicles. This will ensure that all veterans with service-related disabilities can access adaptive vehicles, regardless of their location or financial situation.
“H.R. 522, the Deliver for Veterans Act is legislation that is integral to the continued healthcare of our disabled veterans. I saw the need to ensure that our veterans no longer carry the burden of shipping costs related to the purchase of a vehicle to suit their medical needs. Passing this bill will ensure our heroes no longer shoulder a financial burden that averages about $3,000 dollars for veterans in Guam. The passing of this bill will have the most effect in areas such as Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, CNMI, and Alaska; though, this bill benefits veterans across the whole nation. I am thankful to the Veterans Affairs Committee and Problem Solvers Caucus for their support and advocacy of this important piece of legislation,” said Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL).
“The Veterans Administration’s Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program helps fulfill our promise to our veterans by assisting qualified disabled veterans with accessible vehicle purchases but is incomplete because it does not allow for vehicle shipping charges,” said Congressman Ed Case (HI-01). “Our measure would authorize such charges and provide our disabled vets, especially those living in more remote areas where shipping costs can be prohibitive, with an expanded ability to get the transportation they need.”
"With the passage of the Deliver for Veterans Act, our VA is now equipped to ensure that the Adaptive Vehicle Grant Program provides our disabled veterans with accessible vehicles—freeing them from the unjust financial burden of shipping costs after their extraordinary sacrifices," said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). "I am grateful this vital bipartisan legislation was endorsed by the Problem Solvers Caucus and has successfully passed in the House. Thank you to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for taking decisive action to eliminate an unnecessary strain on the courageous heroes who have fought to protect our freedoms."
“There is nothing more important in this job than having the backs of those who have stepped up to protect us. After sacrificing so much, our veterans should never struggle to get the care, recognition, and respect they have rightfully earned,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “I’m glad that the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan Deliver for Veterans Act, which would provide disabled veterans the support they deserve.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.