(Washington, D.C.) – At the moment, Congressmen Doug LaMalfa (R – Calif.) and Chris Pappas (D – N.H.) launched new laws to assist cowl the out-of-pocket bills that veterans and their caregivers incur when touring to obtain medical care supplied by way of the Division of Veterans Affairs (VA). In response to excessive inflation, the Veterans Medical Mileage Adjustment Act of 2022 would improve the mileage reimbursement fee for the Beneficiary Journey Program for eligible veterans who should journey greater than seven miles, or greater than 14 miles spherical journey, for VA-related well being care.
U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D – Mont.) and Jerry Moran (R – Kan.), the Chairman and Rating Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), launched companion laws within the Senate earlier at present. As well as, Congressman Rick Larsen (D – Wash.) has signed on to the laws as an unique co-sponsor within the Home of Representatives.
“With gasoline costs in California up over two {dollars} in the previous few years, touring is dearer than ever. Whereas some Californians attempt to make ends meet by chopping again on driving or different requirements, rural veterans looking for medical remedies have few choices. They depend on hospitals and clinics situated removed from their house. We shouldn’t power our veterans to shoulder an increasing number of of this value as a result of Washington has deserted an affordable vitality coverage. This laws will improve the mileage reimbursement fee to guard our veterans from government-created inflation,” stated Congressman LaMalfa.
“Nobody ought to battle to entry care due to the gap they have to journey for an appointment or the price of transportation. However veterans in New Hampshire, particularly veterans who stay in rural areas, usually should journey lengthy distances to entry VA well being care companies,” stated Congressman Pappas. “This overdue improve in reimbursement charges for veterans touring for VA well being care would be certain that Granite State veterans are correctly compensated for his or her journey prices, and I will hold preventing to guard entry to community-based care that can scale back the journey burden shouldered by our veterans.”
“Journey to medical appointments is commonly an actual burden, particularly for veterans and caregivers who stay a protracted distance from VA amenities,” stated Congressman Larsen, a senior member of the Armed Providers and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. “This bipartisan invoice improves fairness and public well being by rising reimbursement charges to make sure Washington veterans can entry the medical care they want, no matter the place they stay.”
“Inflation and rising prices have resulted in an increasing number of veterans shouldering extra prices when touring to obtain well being care supplied by the VA,” stated Senator Moran. “Elevating reimbursement charges will assist hold the Beneficiary Journey Program related and make sure travel-related prices will not be inhibiting our veterans from receiving the care they deserve.”
“For Montana veterans residing in rural or distant areas, attending to a VA well being care appointment can imply driving dozens of miles every solution to their nearest facility,” stated Senator Tester. “Growing the mileage reimbursement fee will guarantee VA advantages are preserving tempo with rising transportation prices, so veterans can proceed accessing their earned care—irrespective of the place they stay.”
This laws is endorsed by the American Legion, Veterans of Overseas Wars of the U.S. (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Wounded Warrior Mission.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, together with Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.
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