WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) introduced the Rural Veterans Dental Care Act. This legislation would establish a pilot program to deliver dental care to veterans living in rural areas through mobile delivery methods, such as fully equipped dental vans. This closes a longstanding gap in access to dental care for rural veterans eligible for VA dental benefits by bringing dental services directly to where they live.
“No veteran should have to drive hours to see a dentist. Unfortunately, in parts of America, this is a reality,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “On the road across South and West Texas, the lack of options for dental care has been brought to my attention countless times. The Rural Veterans Dental Care Act expands dental services for veterans in rural communities. My bill closes a longstanding gap by ensuring that veterans outside of major cities receive a better quality of care.”
The Rural Veterans Dental Care Act:
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Establishes a pilot program to furnish dental care to veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas.
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Authorizes mobile delivery methods, including dental vans with full diagnostic and treatment equipment, modular or containerized mobile dental clinics at VA community-based outpatient clinics or rural health fairs, and temporary tents or structures at outreach events.
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Prioritizes locations more than 75 miles from a VA dental clinic, with high concentrations of veterans with unmet dental needs, and in rural or highly rural areas with large veteran populations.
Background:
Nationwide, approximately 534,000 veterans are eligible for VA dental care. While specific data on how many of these veterans live in rural areas is not readily available, roughly 33% of the 8.3 million veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration reside in rural communities. For instance, veterans in Del Rio must travel approximately 148 miles to the nearest VA dental clinic in San Antonio (i.e., the Northwest San Antonio VA Clinic), while those in Eagle Pass face a 143-mile drive, and veterans in Uvalde must travel 77 miles.
The Rural Veterans Dental Care Act addresses this barrier by deploying mobile and modular dental vans and other platforms to rural communities, allowing the VA to deliver essential dental services directly to veterans where they live instead of relying on veterans to drive significant distances for dental care.
Congressman Gonzales served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years and retired as a Navy Master Chief, the highest enlisted rank.
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