Congressman Don Davis Introduces Second Bipartisan Package of Veterans Bills
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) introduced a second bipartisan legislative package to benefit disabled and rural veterans across eastern North Carolina and the nation. The bills will help repay the sacrifices of our brave men and women in uniform, including the over 46,000 veterans in North Carolina’s First Congressional District. During the 118th Congress, Congressman Davis has introduced six veterans affairs-related bills, including the two introduced this week, demonstrating there is no higher priority than looking after retired service members and their families.
The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act will expand the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) program, which helps veterans in remote areas travel to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities, by updating the VA’s definition of “Highly Rural,” therefore increasing eligibility for veterans who require transportation services to access health care in rural America. The legislation would also lift the annual grant caps to $80,000, allowing grantees to more easily acquire Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant vehicles.
"After hearing from veterans service officers, families of veterans, and health care providers, it was clear we needed to act,” said Congressman Davis. “No veteran who has given their life to serving our nation should have any doubt that they may be unable to access lifesaving health care services just because they live in a rural community. The least we can do is support legislation to remove any uncertainty for our most vulnerable veterans who lack access to transportation services. We will not stop fighting until every veteran and their family can easily access health care through the VA."
Congressman Greg Murphy (R-NC) is the co-lead of the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act. Statewide, Congressmen Davis and Murphy represent the most veterans per capita in the North Carolina delegation. Senators Ossoff, Collins, Thune, and Young introduced the Senate companion last month.
“As the representative of over 76,000 veterans, it is my honor to champion the needs of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to our country and be their voice in Congress,” said Congressman Murphy. “This legislation provides our rural veterans with enhanced access to essential healthcare services by broadening eligibility criteria and expanding healthcare facility coverage. By redefining the parameters of "highly rural", we are taking vital steps towards addressing urgent needs inclusive to all veterans.”
“As I’ve sat down with veterans in rural areas across Georgia, one of their key concerns is lack of transportation,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to ensure veterans have more access to transportation services that can bring them to VA clinics and medical centers to get the care they need.”
“Traveling to and from VA facilities is oftentimes an overlooked obstacle that veterans in rural communities, like those in South Dakota, face,” said Thune. “This legislation would provide South Dakota veterans with much-needed transportation services that would allow them to safely and efficiently utilize services at VA facilities.”
"In Maine – a large, rural state with one of the highest number of veterans per capita – only veterans living in Piscataquis County are eligible for this important grant program that provides transportation to VA and VA-authorized healthcare facilities,” said Senator Collins. “By expanding program eligibility to include more highly rural areas, this bipartisan bill would allow veterans in additional Maine counties to gain access to these transportation services.”
The Veterans Employment Readiness Yield (VERY) Act, will make a simple one-page technical fix to the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program that would replace “employment handicap” with “employment barrier” and the term “serious employment handicap” with “serious employment barrier” while leaving the definitions unchanged. The terms “employment handicap” (EH) and “serious employment handicap” (SEH) are used to describe servicemembers and veterans eligible for and entitled to certain benefits and services. However, the word “handicap” is outdated, has a negative connotation in the disability community, and does not adequately represent veterans. Updating terminology will allow for improved efficiency and encourage disabled veterans to use the VRE program.
“Our disabled vets have given life and limb to preserve our most cherished freedoms,” said Congressman Davis. “In any contact with the VA, we must ensure they feel represented and heard. VA services must not only remain available, they must be accessible to all of our heroes who once wore the uniform of our nation.”
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) is the co-lead. “We made a solemn promise to care for our veterans who were willing to sacrifice everything for our country,” said Congressman Ciscomani. Every veteran deserves our utmost respect, especially when it comes to the benefits and treatment they receive at the VA. Minor fixes like the one outlined in the VERY Act may feel small to the average civilian but can make all the difference to our men and women who served.”
“For many disabled veterans, the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program plays a critical role in helping them find meaningful employment that meets their needs and abilities,” said Heather Ansley of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Removing outdated program language will show all eligible disabled veterans that the VA is ready to help them with supports and services that are necessary to overcome barriers to employment. Removing outdated program language will show all eligible disabled veterans that the VA is ready to help them with support and services that are necessary to overcome barriers to employment.”
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dondavis.house.gov