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TOPEKA, Kan. (WBW) – Senator Jerry Moran has introduced legislation to help ease the burden of health care travel costs for seniors.
US Senator Jerry Moran (Ar-Khan.) He and Sen. John challenged (D-Mont.) introduced legislation on Wednesday, Sept. 14, through the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase reimbursement rates for veterans who must travel for medical care. he said US Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) introduces companion legislation in the House.
“Inflation and rising costs have resulted in soldiers incurring additional costs when traveling to access VA health care,” said Senator Moran. “Increasing reimbursement rates will help make the beneficiary’s travel program reasonable and travel-related costs will not prevent our soldiers from receiving the care they deserve.”
In response to high inflation, Moran Veterans Medical Distance Adjustment Act of 2022 Increases the amount paid to the Beneficiary Travel Program for eligible veterans who must travel more than 7 miles for VA-related health care.
“For Montana veterans living in rural or remote areas, getting to a VA health care appointment can mean driving dozens of miles to the nearest facility,” Tester said. “Increasing mileage reimbursement rates will ensure VA benefits keep pace with rising transportation costs, so veterans can continue to get the care they deserve — no matter where they live.”
Moran said the bill has the support of the American Legion, Veterans of American Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the Wounded Warrior Project.
“With gas prices in California increasing by more than two dollars in the past few years, travel is more expensive than ever,” said Congressman LaMalfa. “While some Californians try to make ends meet by cutting back on driving or other essentials, rural veterans seeking treatment have few options. They rely on hospitals and clinics far from their homes. We should not force our veterans to bear more of this cost because Washington has abandoned a sensible energy policy. This Act will increase the rate of Kiloage to protect our veterans from government induced inflation.
Moran noted that the legislation would increase the VA mileage rate from $0.415 to $0.455 per mile. Also, Planned Health Care for Veterans and Caregivers helps cover out-of-pocket costs when they need to travel more than 7 miles — or 14 miles round trip.
Additionally, Moran said the legislation would include findings from an annual Internal Revenue Service study on transportation costs that show increases in fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation and other costs. In addition, the increase will apply to travel that occurs after approval for any veteran or caregiver who is currently eligible for the Consumer Travel Reimbursement Benefit. Veterans Medical Distance Adjustment Act of 2022.
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