On Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:54:50 AM UTC-6, Billy wrote:
> BigRedWingsFan wrote:
> > 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.
> >
> >
> Effectively there is no increase. It cost over fifty dollars t go to the
> VA for me. Some of the Vets come a lot farther.
Since gas prices have more than doubled since Biden took office, I feel that the VA should increase the mileage reimbursement rate.