HEAL Act

This bill would increase the mileage reimbursement rate for veterans traveling to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities for medical care, counseling, or vocational rehabilitation. It proposes raising the rate from 41.5 cents per mile to the standard federal rate for privately owned vehicles, while also prohibiting the VA from requiring a deductible for these travel benefits. Additionally, the bill would allow veterans service organizations and agencies that provide transportation for veterans to be reimbursed for travel expenses on the same basis as the veterans themselves.

This bill affects veterans and individuals traveling to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or medical examination and treatment. It also applies to veterans service organizations and agencies that provide transportation to veterans for these purposes. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs is affected as the agency responsible for administering the modified reimbursement rates and deductible policies.

• Increased mileage reimbursement rate. The bill raises the mileage reimbursement rate for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities from 41.5 cents per mile to the standard rate for privately owned automobiles when no government vehicle is available.
• Elimination of travel deductibles. The VA is prohibited from requiring a deductible for beneficiary travel related to medical examinations, treatment, or care.
• Expanded eligibility for travel expenses. Veterans service organizations and agencies that provide transportation for veterans' medical appointments may be reimbursed for travel expenses on the same basis as veteran beneficiaries.
• Broadened scope of covered travel. The modified travel benefits apply to individuals traveling for vocational rehabilitation and required counseling in addition to standard medical examinations and care.

This bill modifies the administration of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel benefit by increasing the mileage reimbursement rate and eliminating the deductible requirement for certain types of travel. It also extends travel expense eligibility to veterans service organizations and agencies that provide transportation for veterans on the same basis as the beneficiaries themselves.

The bill aims to reduce the financial burden on veterans and supporting organizations by increasing the mileage reimbursement rate for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and eliminating travel deductibles for medical examinations, treatment, or care.