VA Attempts to Make it Easier for Rural Veterans to Access Healthcare
One of the most pressing issues facing rural veterans today is access to healthcare. Some veterans prefer to live in rural locations, while others relocate after being priced out of metropolitan neighborhoods. Whatever the case may be, these veterans deserve just as much access to healthcare as those in big cities. The VA is attempting to make it easier for rural veterans to access healthcare, but is this enough? If you are struggling to access your benefits, consider speaking with a VA benefits lawyer in Washington.
$7 Million in Transportation Grants Announced by VA
On April 13th, 2026, Legion reported that the VA had provided numerous grants related to transportation for rural veterans. In total, the VA has made $7 million in government grants available to organizations involved in the transportation of veterans for healthcare needs.
These grants fall under the Highly Rural Transportation Grants Program, which focuses on facilitating the transport of rural veterans to and from their medical appointments. In order to qualify for this funding, the organization in question must serve a county with fewer than seven people per square mile.
Many counties throughout Washington fall well within these parameters, with many of the more rural counties having fewer than five people per square mile. While $7 million might not seem like a lot of money on a national scale, the Highly Rural Transportation Grants Program has awarded a total of $35 million in grants since 2014.
The VA Recognizes the Challenges Faced by Rural Veterans
It is clear that the VA recognizes the challenges faced by rural veterans. In the organization’s own words, these individuals “don’t always have the same access” to medical treatments compared to city dwellers. Although the VA recognizes this issue, many rural veterans still struggle to access the treatment they need.
One recent change involved a shift toward fewer regional healthcare networks. At face value, the change from 18 to 5 regional hubs is supposed to improve access for rural veterans. However, the VA is also reducing staffing in areas with fewer veterans, which is bound to affect some rural individuals.
One 2025 medical paper published by the National Library of Medicine suggests that rural veterans may face lower incomes, higher social isolation, and many other challenges that can heighten issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is fair to say that the VA still has a long way to go, and addressing this issue will take more than $7 million in transportation grants.
Can a VA Benefits Lawyer in Washington Help Me?
A VA benefits lawyer in Washington may be able to help if you are struggling to access healthcare from a rural location. Although $7 million in rural veteran transportation services grants is a positive sign, much more work is required in this area. Gustad Law Group, PLLC serves veterans in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, and rural Washington.
Sources:
legion.org/information-center/news/veterans-healthcare/2026/april/va-announces-7-million-in-rural-veteran-transportation-services-grants
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11817750/