H.R. 5277 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Sep 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryIncreases VA travel benefits for veterans
The VA currently reimburses veterans for mileage when they travel to VA facilities for medical care, counseling, or vocational rehabilitation. This bill would raise the reimbursement rate from 41.5 cents per mile to 70 cents per mile (matching the standard government rate for private cars). It also removes any deductible fees that the VA might charge for this travel benefit and allows veteran service organizations that provide transportation to be reimbursed on the same terms as individual veterans.
How it affects you
If you're a veteran who travels to VA facilities for medical treatment, counseling, or job training, you'd get reimbursed more per mile for gas and mileage. You also wouldn't have to pay a deductible to access this travel benefit. Veteran service organizations that help transport veterans to appointments would see their transportation costs covered more fairly as well.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 10, 2025)
Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act or the HEAL Act
This bill modifies the administration of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel benefit available to individuals traveling for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for examination, treatment, or care.
The bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel to or from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment or care. Specifically, the bill raises the rate from 41.5 cents per mile to the rate for a privately owned automobile when no government vehicle is available (currently 70 cents per mile).
The bill prohibits the VA from requiring a deductible for beneficiary travel for examination, treatment, or care.
The bill also provides that veterans service organizations and veterans service agencies that provide transportation for examinations, treatment, or care to veterans may be allowed expenses of travel upon the same basis as such veteran beneficiaries.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5277
A BILL
HEAL Act
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY-17) · Introduced Sep 10, 2025 · Armed Forces and National Security · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 22, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.”