Wyden, Merkley Secure $488,500 for Key Veteran Health Care Program in Rural Oregon

July 27, 2026 Wyden, Merkley Secure $488,500 for Key Veteran Health Care Program in Rural Oregon Oregon is one of only 12 states awarded Highly Rural Transportation Grants, supporting veterans in Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that they secured $488,500 in federal funding for key veteran health care programs in rural parts of eastern and southern Oregon. The funding, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) highly rural transportation grants program, will support no-cost transportation services for veterans living in rural areas. Specifically, the grant program expands the capacity of veteran service organizations and state veterans service agencies in providing free transportation to veterans traveling to VA or VA-authorized health care facilities. Oregon is one of only 12 states to receive the funding. “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.” “Our veterans face tremendous hurdles, including access to medical care when they live in rural areas,” said Merkley. “I thank not only the VA for recognizing the widespread need for better access to medical care among veterans, but also the Veteran Service Organizations and Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs for stepping up to provide the transportation at no cost to veterans. It is our obligation to fight for the brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed to fight for us.” Thanks to the funding, the following Oregon counties will continue to provide free rides to and from VA-authorized health appointments: Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa, and Wheeler. Every year, transportation barriers result in thousands of missed VA-authorized health appointments, preventing veterans, and in particular, aging veterans, from getting the care they need. In 2024, nearly 260,000 veterans called Oregon home, of which 138,066 were enrolled in the VA Healthcare System, according to the VA . The grant funding will help connect Oregon veterans to the state’s three inpatient care facilities, five veteran centers, and 21 outpatient care sites. Print Email Tweet Next Article Previous Article