DUBLIN, Ga. — Sen. Jon Ossoff said he's sponsored a bill to help veterans in rural areas get to their healthcare appointments. He calls it the Rural Veterans Transportation to Care Act.
"This is health care that our veterans have earned through their service. We have an obligation in Congress to make sure they can access that care," Ossoff said.
For many Americans, getting to their medical appointments is easy. But it's not that simple for some veterans in rural areas.
Development and Civic Engagement Chief Keith Griffin is at the Carl Vinson Medical Center. He works to help veterans find rides to their appointments who can't make it on their own.
"A lot of times it's just, they don't have the financial means. And then a lot of times we get calls where they may have mechanical issues with their vehicle," Griffin said.
He said Dublin's V.A. center serves 49 counties in central and south Georgia. That means some veterans could spend hours just driving to an appointment.
"And so their only opportunity a lot of times is to reach out to the V.A. and see can we help with those transportation needs," Griffin said.
Last year, we reported on a new Veterans Administration pilot program through Uber to help veterans in Macon, Albany, and Brunswick to get to medical appointments.
The V.A. is still testing that, but they have another program to help veterans get rides called the Disabled American Veterans program.
"What the D.A.V program is, is volunteer drivers who reach out to me, if they're interested in volunteer, and we bring veterans to their appointments," Griffin said.
He said they have about six minivans for that program, but they could fund more.
Ossoff said his new bill would increase grants to provide vehicles that can transport veterans to medical centers.
Groups like the Dublin V.A. could get $10,000 to $30,000 more in grant funds.
"The legislation will expand the areas in our state and across the country where veterans are eligible for transportation services," Ossoff said.
Griffin said they hope the bill passes.
Dublin's V.A. Center needs more drivers for their Disabled Americans Veterans program.
Volunteers pick up and drop off veterans, using the V.A.'s minivans.
Anyone interested in volunteering to drive for the program, or volunteer at the Dublin V.A, or one of its outpatient clinics can contact Keith Griffin at 478-272-1210 ext. 72439 or email Keith.Griffin@va.gov to learn more about qualifications and how to file an application.