“Former members of the Armed Forces should be able to live wherever they please,” Congressman Walt Minnick said. “But when their homes are hundreds of miles away from the nearest Veterans Administration health center, it is difficult for these former servicemen and women to receive the medical care they were promised by this nation.”

 That’s why Minnick, a freshman Congressman from Idaho, will next week introduce a bill to mandate that any veteran who travels further than 150 miles be reimbursed for lodging and food at the same rate as federal employees. The bill also allows veterans to seek that reimbursement if inclement weather leaves a veteran stranded and unable to travel home after receiving medical treatment.

 “Many Idaho veterans must travel on narrow, rural roads for the better part of a day just to reach a VA Hospital,” Minnick said. “If a snowstorm prevents veterans from traveling home after receiving care, they should not have to wonder how they will pay for a hot meal or a hotel room.”

 Minnick also today released a statement entered earlier this month into the Congressional record. The statement expresses support for Senate Bill 509, which has passed the House of Representatives. The bill authorizes the construction of a new VA outpatient clinic in Walla Walla, Washington, Minnick’s family hometown. The hospital will serve veterans from eastern Washington and central Idaho.

 “The Walla Walla VA Hospital provides vital medical care to thousands of veterans from Idaho, and a new state-of-the-art facility will allow the hospital to provide expanded services to the members of our armed forces,” Minnick said.

 Minnick’s schedule today, Veterans Day, had him in Meridian to meet with veterans who were enjoying free meals, courtesy of Applebee’s Restaurant, and free auto cleaning, courtesy of Metro Express Car Wash.