Thanks to a federal grant, the American Legion in Fort Pierre has established partnerships with public transportation companies in Pierre and Spearfish to give local veterans free transportation to VA medical facilities.
Stanley County Post 20 received a Veterans Health Administration Highly Rural Transportation Grant. The funds enabled Post 20 to partner with River Cities Public Transit of Pierre and Prairie Hills Transit of Spearfish to continue roundtrip transportation for veterans and a caregiver to VA medical appointments at no charge.
River Cities Public Transit Executive Director Ron Baumgart says they’re honored to partner with Stanley County Post 20 to offer veterans living in qualifying counties free access to their VA doctors’ appointments. He says these funds will make a tremendous impact on providing better health outcomes for rural veterans.
For more information call River Cities Public Transit (605-945-2360 or toll free at 1-877-587-5776) or go to www.rcptransit.com.
A highly rural county is classified as having 7 people or fewer residing per square mile within the county. Currently there are 34 highly rural counties across South Dakota.
Nationally, veterans from rural and highly rural areas account for almost 30.5% of the enrolled Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. The main obstacles cited by highly rural veterans in obtaining VA health care are distance and transportation. This grant helps eliminate these obstacles for rural veterans across South Dakota.
Prairie Hills Transit is a 501 c-3 nonprofit organization promoting and supporting the delivery of safe and efficient public and specialized transportation. Prairie Hills Transit is headquartered in Spearfish, SD. Visit: www.prairiehillstransit.com to learn more.
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