Jimmy Panetta

10/04/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/04/2024 11:51

Rep. Panetta Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation Ensuring Veterans Transportation to Medical Appointments

Monterey, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would permanently provide safe and reliable transportation for veterans to and from VA facilities and other treatment centers. The Veterans Earned Transportation (Vets ETA) Act would permanently reauthorize a VA program that provides these transportation services for veterans to better access vocational rehabilitation, counseling, and medical treatment, particularly for those who are visually impaired, elderly, immobile, or living in remote and rural areas.

"Many veterans who live in rural areas throughout our country have a difficult time accessing VA health care due to the distance they have to travel." said Rep. Panetta. "This bipartisan legislation would ensure permanent funding for vital VA transportation services, allowing veterans, regardless of their ability or where they live, access the mental, physical, and vocational care that they may need. Taking this action is a big step towards ensuring that the United States is serving all those who served our country."

More than 32,300 veterans currently live in California's 19th Congressional District. The Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) was established in 2010. Since then, the VA has focused on expanding access and establishing Mobility Managers at each VA facility to better meet the transportation needs of veterans across the country​. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Ted Lieu (CA-36) co-lead the Vets ETA Act.

"The absence of dependable transportation for our veterans to their VA appointments greatly impacts their access to essential care," said Rep. Fitzpatrick. "I am proud to join my colleagues in the introduction of the bipartisan Veterans Earned Transportation Act, to permanently authorize a program that ensures safe and reliable transportation to VA treatment providers, thereby alleviating the unjust burden on our veterans, so they can receive the care they deserve."

"Our veterans have dedicated their lives to defending our nation and deserve access to high-quality care after their service," said Rep. Lieu. "We owe it to them to make sure they have access to mental health care, medical treatment, job training services, and more offered by the VA. No veteran should lose access to these critical supports due to a lack of reliable transportation. I am pleased to join Representative Panetta to reintroduce the Vets ETA Act, which would permanently fund a VA programthat provides safe and reliable transportation for veterans to and from their VA care."

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