Rosen, Sheehy Introduce Bill to Improve Veteran Access to Medical Care in Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced a bill to improve veteran access to medical care in rural areas. The bipartisan Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) Rural Expansion Act would assess the current capability of the MMU program and promote increased deployment into rural and underserved areas. This bill would also require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a report identifying existing gaps and opportunities to expand care in rural areas and improve the MMU program.

"For many of our veterans living in rural areas, the lack of accessibility to see a doctor is more than an inconvenience; it could be life-threatening," said Senator Rosen. "I'm introducing a bipartisan bill that would ensure that adequate medical care is accessible to all of our veterans, particularly across rural communities in Nevada, by utilizing mobile health units. I will keep on fighting to ensure that all servicemembers, veterans, and their families have access to the care and resources they have earned."

"Montana has one of the largest rural veteran populations in America - we can't continue to allow long travel distances and provider shortages to block men and women who served our nation from getting the care they deserve," said Senator Tim Sheehy. "The Mobile Medical Unit Rural Expansion Act reforms and strengthens the VA Mobile Medical Unit program by increasing oversight, creating a centralized management structure, looking for new opportunities to improve care, and holding the VA accountable. This is practical, meaningful legislation that allows us to do right by our veterans."

"Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders often must travel long distances to VA facilities, which can be compounded by limited accessible transportation options and other disability-related barriers," said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). "PVA applauds Senators Rosen and Sheehy for introducing the Mobile Medical Unit Rural Expansion Act, which would help VA better understand and expand the use of mobile medical units to bring care closer to veterans where they live."

Senator Rosen has continued to be a champion for Nevada's veterans. She helped secure the first-ever Veterans Cemetery in Elko, Nevada. In August, Senator Rosen also helped introduce legislation to improve coordination between the VA and state veterans' agencies to better connect veterans with their benefits. Additionally, Senator Rosen is leading the charge in Congress to secure benefits for veterans who served at the Nevada Test and Training Range during the nuclear testing era and were exposed to toxins, but have been denied benefits despite their civilian counterparts receiving support.

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