Ed Palmer
07-01-07, 10:24 AM
VA MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE 01: The VA Committee approved a Sen. Jon Tester [D-MT] proposal to increase the mileage reimbursement rate for disabled vets who have to travel for VA health care. Previous attempts to increase the travel reimbursement rate never passed the VA Committee. Tester's plan calls for increasing the VA's travel reimbursement rate by more than 250%, from 11-cents to 28 ½ cents per mile. The measure also allows the VA to increase that rate to 48 ½ cents per mile in the future. It's the first rate increase in 30 years. The VA Committee also approved a plan by a bipartisan trio of senators, including Tester, to create a $6 million grant program to give more transportation options to vets who live in rural areas. It also gives the VA authority to create pilot projects aimed at expanding health care in rural areas. Tester's health care improvements are included in S.1233, a comprehensive veterans' health care improvement bill. The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. [Source: Jon Tester Press Release 27 Jun 07 ++]