The HEROES Earned Affordable Lifts Act (HEAL Act) would change how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays for veterans’ transportation to and from VA facilities and who can provide or receive those reimbursements. Specifically, it retires the old fixed mileage rate of 41.5 cents per mile and ties the rate to the current rate for a privately owned vehicle as set by the General Services Administration (GSA) when no VA government vehicle is available. It also eliminates deductibles for travel under this program. The bill broadens who can receive and administer these transportation payments to include certain VA-approved personal care providers, veterans service organizations (VSOs) that arrange transportation, and local government veterans service agencies (including their employees or volunteers). Finally, it makes related clarifications about reimbursements under another section (111A) to ensure they're provided by the Department only to the extent allowed.
Key Points
- 1Mileage rate update: The fixed 41.5 cents-per-mile rate is replaced with a rate equal to the private automobile rate set by the GSA, applicable when no VA government vehicle is available.
- 2No deductible for travel: The bill prohibits requiring a deductible for travel costs related to examination, treatment, or care.
- 3Expanded eligible providers/organizations:
- 4- VA-approved personal care providers under specified VA authorities.
- 5- Veterans service organizations that provide transportation under a new section (111A) of the title.
- 6- Veterans service agencies of local governments, including their staff or volunteers, that provide transportation.
- 7Reimbursement clarifications for 111A: Reimbursements under 111A would be reimbursable by VA only to the extent allowed under section 111, with language adjusted for consistency and terminology.
- 8Overall aim: To make transportation to VA facilities more affordable and accessible for veterans by increasing reimbursement flexibility and expanding eligible providers.