Should VA Programs Helping Rural Vets Be Extended? (H.R. 4285)

What is H.R. 4285?

(Updated October 22, 2019)

This bill was enacted on September 30, 2019

This bill — the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2019 — would extend certain VA programs for rural veterans. Specifically , it would extend financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing for two years (at a total cost of $380 million) and three other VA authorities for one year. 

The three VA authorities this bill would extend for a year are: 

• VA’s authority to temporarily expand payments and allowances for beneficiary travel in connection with Veterans receiving care from vet centers; 
  
• VA’s authority relating to vendee loans; and
  
• VA’s authority to operate a regional office in the Philippines.
  

Argument in favor

Rural veterans face a number of unique challenges in terms of accessing healthcare and housing programs that the VA needs the budget to address. This bill would ensure that existing VA funds for these priorities remain available for veterans and their families in the near term.

Argument opposed

The VA is already spending nearly a third of its budget on rural veterans’ healthcare — this figure is disproportionate to the share of veterans in rural areas (under a quarter of the national population), and should be reduced in order to distribute resources evenly among veterans across the country.

Impact

Rural veterans; VA services for rural veterans; and the VA.

Cost of H.R. 4285

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) introduced this bill to preserve crucial programs such as reimbursements and transportation allowances for highly-rural veterans: 

“Our Veterans defended our country and earned these benefits. Our rural Veterans sometimes need to travel long distances to receive care and they shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill. Washington needs to do right by all of our Veterans and make sure there is no interruption in services for them or their families.”

This legislation has one cosponsor, Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL).

Of Note: The VA’s Office of Rural Health reports that there are 4.7 million rural veterans in the U.S., accounting for nearly a quarter of all veterans in the country. The Office of Rural Health notes that while veterans may choose rural communities for a number of reasons, such as proximity to family and a lower cost of living, there are some rural healthcare challenges that are intensified for veterans with combat-related injuries and illnesses. 

Among these challenges, the Office of Rural Health notes, are higher poverty rates, more elderly residents, poorer overall resident health, fewer practicing physicians, hospitals, and health delivery resources. The Office of Rural Health notes that, just like many other rural residents, rural veterans and their caregivers may have trouble accessing health care and other services due to numerous structural challenges, including hospital closing due to financial instability, fewer employment and transportation options, and geographic and distance barriers. 

Currently, the VA allocates 32% of its healthcare budget to rural veteran care.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) Press Release
  
• VA Office of Rural Health (Context)