U.S. Congressmen Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) and Rick Larsen (D-Everett) today introduced “The Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2015,” H.R. 2291, that would reauthorize the Veterans Transportation Services program for five years and provide mileage reimbursement for combat veterans traveling to receive counseling and care from veterans centers.
“We have a responsibility to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our nation with their selfless service,” said Thornberry, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “We will never know the full extent of their sacrifice, but we would not know freedom without it. That is why programs and legislation like this one are so important in our work to better serve them.”
The Veterans Transportation Service program provides funding to local VA facilities to hire transportation coordinators and purchase vehicles that VA-trained staff can use to connect more veterans to the care they need. Amarillo transported 6,047 Veterans to appointments between Oct 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015. The program is a cost-effective way to help veterans access health care by saving money on ambulance costs and mileage reimbursements.
“Access to health care does not just mean having enough doctors. It means making sure veterans can get to appointments with their doctors. My bill will help break down travel barriers so veterans don’t have to wonder how they will get to their next healthcare appointment,” said Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.
The Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act will:
- Reauthorize for five years the Veterans Transportation Services program;
- Provide mileage reimbursement for veterans traveling to receive counseling and care from Veterans Centers like the one in Amarillo; and
- Reauthorize a grant program to provide transportation options to highly rural veterans seeking medical care.
A companion bill in the Senate was introduced by Sens. Jon Tester (R-MT) and Patty Murray (D-WA).
Thornberry’s office is available to assist veterans who need help accessing resources. Call his Amarillo office at (806) 371-8844.
