H.R. 9050 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9050 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 15, 2024Mrs. Peltola (for herself, Mr. Moylan, and Mr. Horsford) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a grant program for the transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities. 1. Establishment of grant program for the transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities (a) Establishment Chapter 1 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting, after section 111A, the following new section: 111B. Grants for the transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities (a) Establishment The Secretary shall award grants to entities that provide transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities. (b) Eligible entities The following may be awarded a grant under this section: (1) A State veterans service agency. (2) A veterans service organization. (c) Use of funds A grant under this section may be used to— (1) assist a veteran who resides in a highly rural area to travel to a medical facility of the Department; or (2) otherwise assist in providing transportation in connection with the provision of health care to a veteran who resides in highly rural area. (d) Maximum amount The amount of a grant under this section may not exceed $50,000. (e) No matching requirement An entity awarded a grant under this section shall not be required to provide matching funds as a condition for receiving such grant. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030 to carry out this section. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) The term highly rural area means an area located in— (A) a county in which fewer than seven individuals reside per square mile; or (B) Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico (not including the San Juan Census Designated Place), that the Secretary determines is not urban in character. (2) The term veterans service organization means an organization recognized by the Secretary under section 5902 of this title. . (b) Table of sections The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting, after the item relating to section 111A, the following new item: 111B. Grants for the transportation of veterans who reside in highly rural areas to medical facilities. .