Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act
Summary
The Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act would expand an existing Department of Veterans Affairs grant program that helps veterans access medical care through transportation assistance. Currently, the program serves veterans in highly rural areas. If enacted, this bill would extend eligibility to veterans in rural areas as well, broadening the reach of the program to more communities.
The bill would also allow the VA to award grants to county veterans service organizations and tribal organizations, enabling these groups to help veterans with transportation to medical appointments. Additionally, it would increase the maximum grant amount from current levels to $60,000, with an option to increase to $80,000 if a grant recipient must purchase a vehicle to comply with disability access requirements. The bill uses the Department of Agriculture's Rural-Urban Commuting Areas system to define which areas qualify as rural or highly rural.
Currently, the bill is under consideration by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which held hearings on it in May 2025. It has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.