FOR RELEASE: May 14, 2001

Veterans’ Committee Leaders Request Increased Reimbursement for Veterans’ Travel to Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities 

Washington, DC- Lane Evans of Illinois, the Ranking Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee joined other leaders of the Committee, on a bipartisan effort, in calling for Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi to increase the expense reimbursement veterans receive for travel to distant Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers.  Although the VA Secretary is authorized to increase the travel reimbursement rates veterans receive based on an annual review, the reimbursement rates have not been increased since 1978.

According to Evans the VA provides veterans only 11 cents per mile expense reimbursement for their travel costs while government employees who travel on government business receive .345 cents per mile for travel reimbursement.  Citing the vast difference in travel reimbursement rates, the veterans’ committee leaders said adequate travel expense reimbursement for veterans is not a luxury and that “reasonable reimbursement for travel is integral to our veterans’ access to VA health care.”  

Evans went on to say that travel reimbursement is particularly critical to rural veterans who are likely to live long distances from medical care.  “Rural areas pose multiple challenges to the adequate provision of health care.  Transportation is one of the most important problems in areas that do not have readily accessible health care.  When rates don’t cover the cost of travel, veterans without resources are likely to delay health care delivery until their need is critical—perhaps too critical to travel.”  

The letter concluded, “We hope…you will use your authority to examine and adjust this badly out-of-date reimbursement rate.”  Committee Chairman, Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Subcommittee on Health Ranking Member, Bob Filner (D-CA), and Subcommittee on Health Chairman, Jerry Moran (R-KS) joined Evans in signing the letter dated May 9, 2001.

-30-