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Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-2627| Senate 
| Updated: 12/15/2021
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (3)
Jon Ossoff (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Patty Murray (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021 This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transportation benefits for certain veterans. First, the bill makes permanent the authority for the VA to transport any person to or from a VA facility or other place in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for an examination, treatment, or care. The bill also permanently extends the authorization of appropriations for grants provided to state veterans service agencies and veterans service organizations to transport highly rural veterans for medical care. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study fraud, waste, and abuse of benefits under the VA beneficiary travel program and report the findings to Congress. The GAO must also study and report on (1) the efficacy of the current mileage reimbursement rate under the program in mitigating the financial burden of transportation costs for traveling to and from VA medical facilities for care, (2) the origins of the amount of the deductible and its impact on the efficacy of the benefits provided in mitigating the financial burden on veterans seeking medical care, and (3) recommendations for how this program or another program could further encourage veterans to seek medical care. The bill also requires the VA to implement various pilot programs related to transportation benefits for veterans for specified purposes.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2966
Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2019
Aug 5, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Aug 5, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sep 9, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4961
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Dec 15, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2966
    Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2019


  • August 5, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 5, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • September 9, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4961
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • December 15, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4961: Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021
Congressional oversightFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsIntergovernmental relationsMental healthRural conditions and developmentState and local financeState and local government operationsTransportation costsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-2627| Senate 
| Updated: 12/15/2021
Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021 This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transportation benefits for certain veterans. First, the bill makes permanent the authority for the VA to transport any person to or from a VA facility or other place in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for an examination, treatment, or care. The bill also permanently extends the authorization of appropriations for grants provided to state veterans service agencies and veterans service organizations to transport highly rural veterans for medical care. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study fraud, waste, and abuse of benefits under the VA beneficiary travel program and report the findings to Congress. The GAO must also study and report on (1) the efficacy of the current mileage reimbursement rate under the program in mitigating the financial burden of transportation costs for traveling to and from VA medical facilities for care, (2) the origins of the amount of the deductible and its impact on the efficacy of the benefits provided in mitigating the financial burden on veterans seeking medical care, and (3) recommendations for how this program or another program could further encourage veterans to seek medical care. The bill also requires the VA to implement various pilot programs related to transportation benefits for veterans for specified purposes.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2966
Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2019
Aug 5, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Aug 5, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sep 9, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4961
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Dec 15, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2966
    Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2019


  • August 5, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • August 5, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • September 9, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4961
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.


  • December 15, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Jon Tester

Jon Tester

Democratic Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (3)
Jon Ossoff (Democratic)Jerry Moran (Republican)Patty Murray (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4961: Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHealth care coverage and accessHealth facilities and institutionsIntergovernmental relationsMental healthRural conditions and developmentState and local financeState and local government operationsTransportation costsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation