Problem Solvers Endorse Bill to Support Rural Veterans’ Transportation to Health Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act, legislation that will make it easier for rural veterans to get transportation to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health facilities.
VA’s Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) Program currently provides free transportation to health care facilities for veterans living in “highly rural” areas. Unfortunately, very few rural counties in the United States are classified as “highly rural” — according to 2020 census data, only 13 states contain a “highly rural” county — leaving many of the 4.6 million rural veterans living in the U.S. without access to this vital program.
The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act would expand eligibility for the HRTG Program to include veterans living in any county designated as "rural" or "highly rural" by the VA, ensuring more veterans can access the transportation services they need. It would also increase maximum HRTG grant funding, approve additional funding for ADA-compliant vehicles, and include tribal organizations as eligible grant recipients.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) and has 12 additional cosponsors, eight of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Gluesenkamp Perez and Ciscomani.
“As a Representative to the U.S. House, it’s my responsibility to fight to ensure our nation’s heroes are well-supported after returning home and can access the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. As veterans across Southwest Washington face dramatic reductions in lifesaving services, I’m working to make sure the federal government is living up to its word,” said Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). “This bipartisan legislation won’t only restore critical health care transportation services for Skamania County veterans, but it will also newly expand eligibility across Southwest Washington and to rural communities across the country. I’ll continue to call on the VA to uphold its promise to our rural veterans – and the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus is an important step toward ensuring our veterans have the care necessary to lead full, healthy lives.”
"When our veterans return home, they deserve access to high-quality and convenient care, regardless of where they live," said Congressman Juan Ciscomani, who represents over 70,000 veterans in AZ-06. "This bipartisan legislation expands access to VA grants to facilitate transportation of veterans that live in rural areas to a health facility so they can receive care in a timely and efficient way. As a nation we have a solemn duty to care for those who fought to defend our country and the freedoms and values we closely cherish. This legislation is an important step to fulfill that duty, and I am proud it received endorsement by the Problem Solvers Caucus.”
“When our veterans return home, they should never have to worry about if they can get the care they need and have earned. I’m glad the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the bipartisan Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act, to expand eligibility so our veterans can get transportation to healthcare without hurting their pockets to do so,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). ”These are not red or blue issues — they are red, white, and blue issues. We must always get the backs of those who’ve so bravely had ours.”
“The current guidelines under the VA’s HRTG Program are insufficient and fail to serve the pressing transportation needs of many veterans seeking healthcare,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “We have a responsibility to ensure that our heroes can fully access the benefits that they have earned. I am proud of our Caucus for championing this bipartisan legislation, which expands and improves this vital program, making it easier for our veterans to get the healthcare services they deserve.
“Western North Carolina’s distances and mountain roads can make it challenging for our veterans to obtain the medical care they need,” said Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11). “The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act would modernize the VA’s grant program to help more veterans in rural areas access free transportation to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. Our veterans gave us their all, and it is only right that Congress help them obtain the health care 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.