For the four million veterans who call rural America home, long drives are often part of life—for necessities like groceries, gas, and for medical care at VA hospitals. But what about those veterans who can’t drive and live in remote areas? How are they supposed to reach their VA appointments? The answer isn’t simple.
Take Bob Phipps’ story, for example. The closest VA facility to his North Carolina home was almost 90 miles away in Johnson City, Tennessee. Every time he needed medical attention—whether it was for a routine visit or specialized treatment—he faced a nearly three-hour round-trip drive.
Unfortunately, Bob’s situation is far from unique for rural veterans seeking care. For years, accessing VA health care typically meant traveling to the nearest VA facility, which could be just down the road or in some cases over 100 miles away in a different state. Even the Veterans Choice Program, created after the Phoenix waitlist scandal, fell short. Its strict criteria for accessing community care left many veterans still spending hours on the road just to get to their appointments. Bob’s experience reflects a common challenge faced by rural veterans.
Over the years, the VA has tried various quick fixes, but these efforts often feel like temporary solutions instead of real, lasting change. While there are volunteer organizations providing rides, they’re not enough to meet the demand. As a result, the VA spends a staggering $4.4 billion annually on transportation, including recent initiatives to use rideshare apps.
While creative, the rideshare solution has many hurdles: booking is complex for veterans, and rural areas often lack reliable rideshare options. In some cases, veterans are even advised to call an ambulance which costs roughly $1000 just to reach a VA appointment —a sign of how serious this issue has become.
Veterans in rural areas shouldn’t have limited health care access just because they live beyond city limits, especially when closer community care options exist. Allowing veterans the choice to access nearby community care would reduce these travel challenges, enabling them to receive timely care without unnecessary burdens. This isn’t just about improving transportation challenges and providing more reliable, convenient access to care. It’s about ensuring veterans have the freedom to choose care that works best for them, wherever they live. Isn’t it time to give veterans the freedom to receive care where they can realistically access it?
Let’s advocate for a VA that prioritizes choice options for rural veterans and make health care accessible to all veterans, no matter where they live.