BigRedWingsFan
2008-02-01 04:41:55 UTC
VA's mileage reimbursement rate jumps
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 31, 2008 16:37:32 EST
Mileage reimbursement rates for veterans visiting Department of Veterans
Affairs hospitals and clinics will jump tomorrow to 28.5 cents per mile from
11 cents per mile - the first increase in 30 years.
VA officials predict more than 1 million veterans will be affected by the
increase.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., one of the sponsors of the legislation to
increase the rate, said the timing couldn't be better.
"Many veterans in Colorado have difficulty obtaining care, and sometimes put
off necessary treatment simply because they can't afford the gas to drive to
a VA clinic," Salazar said. "This mileage reimbursement is a step forward in
ensuring that our veterans can access the health care services they were
promised."
VA said in a statement that it is increasing deductibles - the cost a
veteran must pay before reimbursement begins - to match the new mileage
rate.
Beginning Feb. 1, the new deductibles are $7.77 for a one-way trip and
$15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month.
"These deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the
veteran," the VA statement says.
"This is the first increase in travel reimbursements since 1979, when gas
was 95 cents a gallon," said Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, chairman of the
House appropriations subcommittee responsible for the veterans budget. "This
might not seem like a lot of money to a lot of people, but to rural
veterans, it will be the difference between getting health care and going
without."
By his estimate, a veteran traveling 400 miles round trip for medical care
will now get $98.46 instead of $38.
Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vermont, who also helped push the legislation, said
the increase is "long overdue," especially with gas prices topping $3 per
gallon.
"The cost of travel should not discourage our veterans from seeking the
health care benefits they have earned through their service," Sanders said.
"In rural states like Vermont, this is an especially important issue."
VA Secretary Dr. James Peake, who had pledged during his Senate confirmation
hearings late last year to quickly implement the increase if Congress passed
it, said the move is "one more step by VA to help veterans access the health
care they deserve."
"This increase helps veterans - especially those living in rural areas -
offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA's world-class health
care," Peake said.
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 31, 2008 16:37:32 EST
Mileage reimbursement rates for veterans visiting Department of Veterans
Affairs hospitals and clinics will jump tomorrow to 28.5 cents per mile from
11 cents per mile - the first increase in 30 years.
VA officials predict more than 1 million veterans will be affected by the
increase.
Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., one of the sponsors of the legislation to
increase the rate, said the timing couldn't be better.
"Many veterans in Colorado have difficulty obtaining care, and sometimes put
off necessary treatment simply because they can't afford the gas to drive to
a VA clinic," Salazar said. "This mileage reimbursement is a step forward in
ensuring that our veterans can access the health care services they were
promised."
VA said in a statement that it is increasing deductibles - the cost a
veteran must pay before reimbursement begins - to match the new mileage
rate.
Beginning Feb. 1, the new deductibles are $7.77 for a one-way trip and
$15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month.
"These deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the
veteran," the VA statement says.
"This is the first increase in travel reimbursements since 1979, when gas
was 95 cents a gallon," said Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, chairman of the
House appropriations subcommittee responsible for the veterans budget. "This
might not seem like a lot of money to a lot of people, but to rural
veterans, it will be the difference between getting health care and going
without."
By his estimate, a veteran traveling 400 miles round trip for medical care
will now get $98.46 instead of $38.
Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vermont, who also helped push the legislation, said
the increase is "long overdue," especially with gas prices topping $3 per
gallon.
"The cost of travel should not discourage our veterans from seeking the
health care benefits they have earned through their service," Sanders said.
"In rural states like Vermont, this is an especially important issue."
VA Secretary Dr. James Peake, who had pledged during his Senate confirmation
hearings late last year to quickly implement the increase if Congress passed
it, said the move is "one more step by VA to help veterans access the health
care they deserve."
"This increase helps veterans - especially those living in rural areas -
offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA's world-class health
care," Peake said.
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"I'd Rather Hunt With Dick Cheney than Ride With Ted Kennedy"
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"I'd Rather Hunt With Dick Cheney than Ride With Ted Kennedy"