Amid major cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, two U.S. senators drafted a bill that would boost health care for veterans in rural areas.
The Strengthening VA Patient Advocacy for Rural Veterans Act would require at least one patient advocate at all medical centers in rural and highly rural areas. The move comes after mass cuts to the department and a planned additional 80,000 job cuts.
“Far too many veterans in rural parts of Nevada face barriers to receiving the VA medical care and support they deserve,” said U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, who introduced the bill. “Our bipartisan legislation would help improve access to care and resources by establishing VA patient advocates specifically for rural veterans, helping to make sure that they can fully benefit from the VA and get any issues resolved no matter where they live.”
The patient advocate at VA medical care centers is a separate role from a health care provider. If a veteran or their family has concerns about the treatment that are not being addressed, the patient advocate will find a solution, according to supporters of the legislation.
“Patient advocates really play an important role in helping our veterans navigate the incredible VA red tape. It’s just outlandish, as it is with most bureaucracies,” said U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, the bill’s other sponsor. “What our bill does is it recognizes the unique challenges that are faced by particularly rural veterans, and then it provides targeted support through dedicated patient advocates to ensure they are able to access the health care they’ve earned, both in and from their more rural homes.”
Despite major cuts to the VA, veterans remain a significant voting group. About 6% of Americans are veterans.
The U.S. Senate bill has been endorsed by multiple veterans groups, including Disabled American Veterans.
