Wyden and Merkley secure $488,500 for Oregon veteran transport

Bend, ORE. (KTVZ) --- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today they secured $488,500 in federal funding for key veteran health care programs in rural parts of eastern and southern Oregon. This funding will support no-cost transportation services for veterans traveling to medical facilities.

The funding is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) highly rural transportation grants program. Oregon is one of only 12 states nationwide to receive this grant, which expands the capacity of veteran service organizations and state veterans service agencies in providing free transportation for veterans to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities.

Thanks to this funding, the Oregon counties of Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa and Wheeler will continue to provide free rides to and from VA-authorized health appointments.

U.S. Sen. Wyden emphasized the importance of accessible care for veterans. “It's unacceptable for any veteran to forgo the care they need due to transportation barriers,” Wyden said. “Oregon's veterans have spent their lives serving our country and they shouldn't need to jump through hoops to get a ride to the hospital for the care they need.”

Transportation barriers currently result in thousands of missed VA-authorized health appointments, preventing veterans, particularly aging veterans, from getting necessary care. In 2024, nearly 260,000 veterans resided in Oregon, with 138,066 enrolled in the VA Health care System, according to the Virginia

U.S. Sen. Merkley highlighted the challenges faced by veterans in rural areas. “Our veterans face tremendous hurdles, including access to medical care when they live in rural areas,” Merkley said. He thanked the VA for recognizing this need and the Veteran Service Organizations and Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs for providing transportation. “It is our obligation to fight for the brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed to fight for us.”

The grant funding will help connect Oregon veterans to the state's three inpatient care facilities, five veteran centers and 21 outpatient care sites.