VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center (Photo: Christopher Aragón)
The Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts, or HEAL, Act is a recent piece of federal legislation introduced to improve transportation benefits for Veterans who travel to and from VA healthcare facilities. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced the most recent version of the bill, H.R. 5277, in the House of Representatives in September.
The legislation focuses on removing financial barriers that prevent Veterans, particularly those in more rural areas like wider Kern County, from accessing the care they need. If passed, the HEAL Act would increase the mileage reimbursement rate for Veterans traveling to approved medical appointments by tying it to the federal General Services Administration, GSA, rate for privately owned vehicles, currently set at 65.5 cents per mile. This adjustment would ensure that the reimbursement rate better reflects actual travel costs. The bill would also eliminate the deductible that Veterans are currently required to pay when seeking travel reimbursement, removing a financial hurdle that can discourage access to care. Additionally, it would authorize reimbursement for Veterans Service Organizations and local Veterans Service Agencies that provide transportation support to Veterans, allowing these organizations to offer vital services with less financial strain.
The HEAL Act has been introduced in different forms over the past few years. The first version was introduced by Rep. Lawler in Dec. 2023 but failed to gain traction. The latest version, H.R. 5277, is currently under consideration by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Rep. Lawler has emphasized that Veterans should not be punished for living far from VA facilities. He stated that the HEAL Act is a step toward lowering costs and expanding access to care for Veterans, particularly in areas where VA services may be difficult to reach. Lawler said the bill acknowledges the important work done by VSOs and local agencies that assist Veterans with transportation and seeks to support their efforts through proper reimbursement.
Community leaders and Veterans’ advocates have voiced strong support for the bill. Karl Rohde, Director of the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency, called the HEAL Act a critical step toward making healthcare more accessible and affordable. Mark Woods, Director of Veteran Services at BRIDGES, commended Lawler’s dedication to keeping promises to local Veterans. VFW National Legislative Associate Director Meggan Coleman stated that the HEAL Act would ensure no Veteran has to choose between accessing healthcare and the cost of getting there.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
