Delegate James Moylan received a response from Ms. Patricia Ross, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, of the Department of Veterans Affairs, reiterating the DVA’s travel policy for veterans residing in Guam. 

As shared by Moylan last month after a meeting with the VA Pacific Islands Health Care Services management, if certain needed care for a veteran is not available here in Guam, the DVA would pay for the veteran’s transportation and care in Hawaii. 

If the care is unavailable, they would fly them to the closest destination in one of the contiguous states where that specific care is provided.

“We appreciate the timely response from the DVA on their Travel Policy and clarifying that our veterans don’t have to pay for the care they deserve if that specific care was not available in Hawaii. They will be transported to the closest jurisdiction in the mainland to avail that care. Our office will certainly try and share this information with as many veteran groups as possible to alleviate the confusion where many believe that covered care is not available beyond Hawaii,” said Moylan. 

“We will continue to strive to enhance veterans care in Guam, including specialized care, so that the need to leave the island for certain procedures is reduced, and this will include augmenting what is currently available at the Naval Hospital Guam,” he added. 

Attached below is the response from the DVA, and it emphasizes the process a veteran must undertake to seek the off-island care.