WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – rating member and chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) – right now launched laws that can improve reimbursement charges for veterans who should journey to obtain medical care supplied by means of the Division of Veterans Affairs (VA). U.S. Consultant Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) will introduce companion laws within the Home. 

In response to excessive inflation, the Veterans Medical Mileage Adjustment Act of 2022 would improve the reimbursement fee for the Beneficiary Journey Program for eligible veterans who need to journey greater than seven miles for VA-related well being care.

“Inflation and rising prices have resulted in an increasing number of veterans shouldering further prices when touring to obtain well being care supplied by the VA,” stated Sen. Moran. “Elevating reimbursement charges will assist maintain the Beneficiary Journey Program related and make sure travel-related prices usually are not inhibiting our veterans from receiving the care they deserve.” 

“For Montana veterans dwelling in rural or distant areas, attending to a VA well being care appointment can imply driving dozens of miles every technique to their nearest facility,” stated Sen. Tester. “Rising the mileage reimbursement fee will guarantee VA advantages are holding tempo with rising transportation prices, so veterans can proceed accessing their earned care—irrespective of the place they dwell.”

“With fuel costs in California up over two {dollars} in the previous few years, touring is costlier than ever,” stated Congressman LaMalfa. “Whereas some Californians attempt to make ends meet by reducing again on driving or different requirements, rural veterans looking for medical therapies have few choices. They depend on hospitals and clinics situated removed from their dwelling. We shouldn’t drive our veterans to shoulder an increasing number of of this price as a result of Washington has deserted an affordable power coverage. This laws will improve the mileage reimbursement fee to guard our veterans from government-created inflation.”

This laws is cosponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.).

Moreover, this laws is endorsed by the American Legion, Veterans of International Wars of the U.S. (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Wounded Warrior Challenge.

The Veterans Medical Mileage Adjustment Act of 2022 would:

  1. Improve the VA mileage reimbursement fee from $0.415 to $0.455 per mile.
  2. Assist cowl the out-of-pocket bills veterans and their caregivers incur when scheduled well being care of medical incapacity examinations require them to journey greater than seven miles, or greater than 14 miles spherical journey.
  3. Incorporate the findings of the annual Inside Income Service research on transportation prices exhibiting a rise in gas, insurance coverage, upkeep, depreciation and different prices to minimize the burden on veterans and caregivers.
  4. Apply the rise to any veteran or caregiver presently eligible for the Beneficiary Journey reimbursement profit for journey that happens after enactment of the Veterans Medical Mileage Adjustment Act of 2022.

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