DRIVE Act of 2025

3/14/2025, 3:23 AM

Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity Act of 2025 or the DRIVE Act of 2025

This bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate available to beneficiaries for travel to or from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. Specifically, the bill makes the reimbursement rate for such travel equal to or greater than the mileage reimbursement rate for government employees using private vehicles when no government vehicle is available.

The bill also requires the VA to ensure that an allowance based on mileage is paid not later than 90 days after the request is properly submitted to the VA.

Bill 119 s 599, also known as the Beneficiary Travel Improvement Act, aims to make changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs' Beneficiary Travel program. The main focus of the bill is to increase the mileage rate that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers to veterans for health-related travel. This increase in mileage rate is intended to help alleviate the financial burden that veterans may face when traveling to receive necessary medical care.

In addition to increasing the mileage rate, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to the Beneficiary Travel program. These additional purposes may include improving access to care for veterans, streamlining the process for reimbursement of travel expenses, and ensuring that veterans are able to receive timely and quality healthcare services.

Overall, the Beneficiary Travel Improvement Act seeks to support and assist veterans in accessing the healthcare services they need by providing them with increased financial assistance for travel expenses. This bill is an important step towards ensuring that veterans receive the care and support they deserve.
Congress
119
Number
S - 599
Introduced on
2025-02-13
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

2/13/2025
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity Act of 2025 or the DRIVE Act of 2025

This bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate available to beneficiaries for travel to or from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. Specifically, the bill makes the reimbursement rate for such travel equal to or greater than the mileage reimbursement rate for government employees using private vehicles when no government vehicle is available.

The bill also requires the VA to ensure that an allowance based on mileage is paid not later than 90 days after the request is properly submitted to the VA.

Bill 119 s 599, also known as the Beneficiary Travel Improvement Act, aims to make changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs' Beneficiary Travel program. The main focus of the bill is to increase the mileage rate that the Department of Veterans Affairs offers to veterans for health-related travel. This increase in mileage rate is intended to help alleviate the financial burden that veterans may face when traveling to receive necessary medical care.

In addition to increasing the mileage rate, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to the Beneficiary Travel program. These additional purposes may include improving access to care for veterans, streamlining the process for reimbursement of travel expenses, and ensuring that veterans are able to receive timely and quality healthcare services.

Overall, the Beneficiary Travel Improvement Act seeks to support and assist veterans in accessing the healthcare services they need by providing them with increased financial assistance for travel expenses. This bill is an important step towards ensuring that veterans receive the care and support they deserve.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the mileage rate offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs through their Beneficiary Travel program for health related travel, and for other purposes.

Comments

Related

Member:  
Mazie K. Hirono
Member:  
Ron Wyden
Member:  
Tina Smith
Member:  
Elissa Slotkin
Member:  
Peter Welch
Member:  
Cory A. Booker
Member:  
Alex Padilla
Member:  
Jeanne Shaheen
Member:  
Catherine Cortez Masto
Committee:  
Veterans' Affairs

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/25/2025

Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity Act of 2025 or the DRIVE Act of 2025

This bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate available to beneficiaries for travel to or from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) fa...

Latest Action2/13/2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.