Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act

To extend the authorization of appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs for purposes of awarding grants to veterans service organizations for the transportation of highly rural veterans. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act 2. Extension of authority to make grants to Veterans Service Organizations for transportation of highly rural veterans Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 ( Public Law 111–163 38 U.S.C. 1710 2020 2021 3. Making permanent authority for Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (2); and (2) in paragraph (1), by striking (1) 4. Medical examination protocol for volunteer drivers participating in program of transportation services for veterans Section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) by inserting (1) The Secretary (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) (A) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act (B) In developing the protocol required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with such persons as the Secretary determines have an interest in the program described in paragraph (1). (C) (i) The Secretary shall implement the protocol by first conducting a one-year pilot program using the protocol. (ii) After conducting the pilot program required by clause (i), the Secretary shall assess the pilot program and make such changes to the protocol as the Secretary considers appropriate. (iii) After making changes to the protocol under clause (ii), the Secretary shall implement the protocol in phases during the course of one year. . 5. Comptroller General of the United States report on transportation services for veterans (a) Report required Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the program the establishment of which was facilitated under section 111A(b) of title 38, United States Code. (b) Contents The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A description of the program described in subsection (a), including descriptions of the following: (A) The purpose of the program. (B) The activities carried out under the program. (2) An assessment of the sufficiency of the program with respect to the purpose of the program. (3) An assessment of the cost effectiveness of the program in relation to alternatives. (4) An assessment of the health benefits for veterans who have participated in the program. (5) An assessment of the sufficiency of staffing of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs who are responsible for facilitating the maintenance of the program. (6) An assessment, with respect to the purpose of the program, of the number of vehicles owned by and operating in conjunction with the program. (7) An assessment of the awareness and usage of the program by veterans and their families. (8) An assessment of other options for transportation under the program, such as local taxi companies and ridesharing programs such as Uber and Lyft. February 5, 2020 Reported with an amendment

Summary: Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act This bill makes permanent the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program that provides transportation for individuals traveling to and from VA facilities for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, examination, treatment, or care. The VA must develop a national protocol for the administration of medical examinations for volunteer drivers to participate in the transportation program. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2021 a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas.