U.S. Reps. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) and Tom Barrett (MI-07) introduced the bipartisan Automotive Support Services to Improve Safe Transportation (ASSIST) Act to ensure disabled veterans, with help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), are empowered to make the vehicle modifications they need to travel safely. Specifically, the bill would give the VA greater flexibility to offer financial assistance for a wider range of medically necessary vehicle adaptations that will improve veterans’ quality of life.

“We have a sacred obligation to ensure that our veterans have the support they need to thrive and enjoy the freedoms they fought for while serving our country in uniform,” said Representative Goodlander. “This commonsense legislation will cut the red tape that has prevented veterans from getting the equipment they need to travel safely and I’m proud to join my colleague Representative Barrett in leading this bipartisan solution.”

“The men and women who served our country deserve every resource necessary to live full and independent lives,” said Representative Barrett. “The ASSIST Act is a commonsense fix that removes bureaucratic red tape and ensures our disabled veterans can access the vehicle modifications they need. No veteran should be denied essential mobility assistance because of an outdated government list.”

“At Disability Rights Center – NH, we hear about the importance of assistive technology to improve the lives of disabilities every day,” said Stephanie Patrick, Executive Director of Disability Rights Center – NH. “We appreciate Representative Goodlander’s support of the ASSIST act to increase this access to vehicle modifications for veterans so that they can live more independent lives in their communities.”

“Any opportunity to clarify and simplify the process for Veterans to receive care from the VA is a positive development,” Paul Lloyd, NH VFW State Adjutant/Quartermaster.

Currently, the VA is restricted to funding only a limited list of adaptive equipment, such as wheelchair tie-downs, van lifts, and raised roofs. This unintentionally limits, and in many cases prevents all together, some veterans from being able to make necessary modifications to their vehicles such as ramp and kneeling systems, mobility device lifts, non-articulating trailers, and ingress or egress accessibility modifications. The ASSIST Act fixes this gap in assistance and would help ensure veterans are able to continue traveling safely and freely.