SCHUMER ANNOUNCES GRANT FOR LONG ISLAND VA TO PURCHASE TWO PARATRANSIT VANS TO HELP VETERANS GET TO AND FROM VA HOSPITALS
Travel Benefit Cuts Left Veterans Without Access To VA Hospitals And Clinics; VA Created Transportation Network To Provide This Essential Service
Over $63,000 Grant Will Purchase Two New Vans For This Program
Schumer: Our Heroes Deserve Access To The Best Possible Care
New York, NY - U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced $63,000 in federal grants that will go towards the purchasing of vans for the Disabled American Veterans Transportation program for Suffolk County. The County of Suffolk applied for the grant to replace two existing vans. This transportation program was created in wake of travel benefit cuts for veterans. All van drivers are volunteers and do not receive any payment for their work.
"Our heroes deserve the best possible care when they return home. But without proper access to VA hospitals, Veterans can have difficulty getting it. That's why I'm glad we were able to find federal dollars to support the Disabled American Veterans Transportation program," Schumer said. "This allvolunteer organization provides a true public service in their care for veterans. I salute their work, and will continue to support the program in the future."
Because so many injured and sick veterans do not have access to transportation to VA medical facilities, the Disabled Americans Veterans Transportation program operates a nationwide network to ensure Veterans can get access to the care that they need. The DAV Transportation network for Long Island logs 350,000 miles a year and transports 27,000 veteran patients a year. The two vehicles are scheduled for delivery by June 2011.
