State Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), pictured here speaking at a CalVet event, introduced a bill earlier this year that could benefit veterans residing at California veterans homes. (Photo: Office of State Sen. Shannon Grove)
On April 26, California State Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) announced that SB 1195 passed unanimously in the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Every five years, the California Department of Veterans Affairs, or CalVet, is required to conduct a review of state-run veterans homes to address existing and potential problems residents face. If SB 1195 were made into law, CalVet would additionally be required to “explore opportunities where satellite medical clinics could be placed at or near homes.”
Grove introduced the bill earlier this year in an effort to bridge the considerable distance between federal VA health care facilities and several of the eight California veterans homes currently in operation. In her announcement, Grove noted, “this critical legislation will help ensure there are fewer barriers for a veteran to access critical health and mental health services.”
In some cases, the average transportation time between several of California’s veterans homes and VHA facilities ranges between two and three hours, representing a significant barrier to veterans who cannot secure transportation or who are unable to travel long distances because of existing ailments. Additionally, receiving medical care outside of a VA setting can be prohibitively costly.
SB 1195 is next expected to be heard by the California Senate’s Appropriations Committee.
Readers can view a full list of 2022 California veterans bills here.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
