This report originally appeared in the December 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News, now online.
Congressman David Wu has introduced the Rural Veterans Services Outreach and Training Act, H.R. 4028, a bill to increase rural veterans' access to needed health care, disability compensation, education, homeownership, and transportation benefits. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
The bill would create a competitive grant program to help increase the number of veteran service officers that are available to assist veterans living in rural areas. A state department of veterans' affairs that receives a grant may distribute any amount of the grant funds to qualified state, county, or local agencies and qualified non-profit veterans service organizations that provide casework services to rural veterans and families. According to Congressman Wu, more than 6 million veterans live in rural areas by 2008 estimates. The health needs of rural veterans are an urgent matter because studies have indicated they tend to generally be in poorer health than their urban and suburban counterparts.
"All veterans have served our country with distinction, and rural veterans deserve equal access to the benefits that all other veterans receive," said Congressman Wu in a press release. "It is patently unfair that some veterans go without the benefits they need, deserve and have earned, simply because they do not live near a Veterans Affairs Regional Office. Without convenient access to veteran service officers, rural veterans are forced to drive an average of 63 miles to the nearest VA Regional Office for care."
