At the Omaha VA Medical Center, multiple Veterans Transportation Service vehicles are prepared to transport Veterans to their appointments, 2018. (Photo: Jennifer Scales)
For many Veterans living in rural communities like northern or inland California, getting to a medical appointment can require hours of travel with few, if any, reliable transportation options. A growing federal push is working to close that gap by expanding transportation programs and strengthening partnerships with states and local organizations.
Access to care remains a persistent challenge for rural Veterans, who often live far from VA facilities. Limited public transit and long travel distances have contributed to missed appointments and delays in treatment. This has brought attention to transportation and the role it plays in access to care for Veterans.
Supporting that effort is the VA’s Highly Rural Transportation Grants program, which provides funding to organizations that transport Veterans to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. The program is focused on Veterans living in highly rural counties, defined as areas with fewer than seven people per square mile, and allows eligible groups to build or expand transportation services tailored to their communities.
The VA recently set aside $7 million in total funding for this effort, with grants distributed to qualifying Veterans service organizations and state agencies. These funds are used to expand free transportation options for Veterans traveling to medical appointments. According to Newsweek, Applications are open now, with awards expected to be finalized later this year. Veterans themselves do not need to apply, as transportation services are provided at no cost to those living in qualifying areas.
Grants are awarded competitively, typically providing up to $50,000 per service area. Funding can be used for vehicles, staffing, and day-to-day operations, helping local providers establish consistent and reliable transportation networks.
Alongside those grants, the VA’s Veterans Transportation Service continues to operate as a larger support system, coordinating rides for Veterans who may be elderly, disabled, or otherwise unable to travel independently. The service works with community partners to create flexible options, especially in areas where traditional transit systems are limited or nonexistent.
Federal officials have increasingly pointed to collaboration as a necessary part of expanding access. By working with states and local organizations, transportation programs can better align with regional infrastructure while addressing the specific needs of rural Veterans. These partnerships often lead to solutions such as volunteer driver programs, shuttle services, and community-based transit systems.
Lawmakers have also revisited the issue in recent months, introducing legislation designed to reauthorize and strengthen rural transportation grant programs. The proposals focus on expanding funding and improving coordination between agencies to reach more veterans who currently face barriers to care.
At the state level, additional grant programs and funding streams are being used to support transportation initiatives tied to Veterans’ services. These efforts complement federal programs by backing local organizations that can deliver targeted solutions, particularly in areas where geographic isolation makes access more difficult.
Nearly a quarter of Veterans live in rural areas, according to federal data. Expanding transportation networks is an important step in improving health outcomes and helping Veterans reach care more consistently without added financial or logistical strain.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.