Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for Veterans

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

This brief discusses the specific transportation needs of Delaware veterans, who comprise approximately ten percent of Delaware’s total population. Healthcare and wellness treatment options for veterans are often limited and can require considerable travel time. For example, there is only one full-service Veterans Health Administration Medica Center Medical Center in Delaware, which is located in Wilmington. Additionally, there are only two Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) that are located in Dover and Georgetown and two Vet Centers (that provide community-based counseling, outreach, and referral services to Vets who served in combat zones), which are located in Georgetown and Wilmington.

The Wilmington Medical Center provides a variety of comprehensive health services, while CBOCs—as supplemental, regional facilities—offer a more limited set of health and wellness services. Veterans may visit more than one type of facility, depending upon their specific medical needs. Approximately 27,070 veterans in Delaware are enrolled in the VA healthcare system. Additionally, 13,235 veterans in Delaware are receiving disability compensation, and many are served by these facilities. Due to geographic and transportation limitations, however, veterans can experience significant challenges in accessing appropriate medical services.