Bills · HR 1288
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1288Veterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation
DRIVE Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 13· LAST ACTION APR 11
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
51
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it directly impacts veterans' ability to access their healthcare without undue financial strain. The current fixed mileage rate for VA travel might not cover the true costs of gas, vehicle maintenance, and depreciation, especially with fluctuating fuel prices. By linking the VA's reimbursement rate to the federal employee rate, it ensures that veterans are compensated more fairly and consistently with current economic realities.
Additionally, establishing a 90-day payment deadline addresses a common complaint among veterans about slow reimbursements. Receiving money back in a timely manner can be crucial for veterans on fixed incomes, ensuring they aren't left out-of-pocket for extended periods after traveling for critical medical appointments. If this bill doesn't become law, veterans may continue to receive inadequate and potentially delayed travel reimbursements, creating a barrier to accessing their VA healthcare.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The VA must pay veterans for health-related travel at a mileage rate that is equal to or higher than what federal employees receive when using their personal vehicles for work.
This ensures veterans receive a more current and potentially higher reimbursement for their travel costs, reflecting real-world expenses like gas and vehicle wear.
PROVISION 02
The VA must process and pay approved travel reimbursement requests within 90 days of receiving a proper submission from a veteran.
This sets a clear standard for timely payments, reducing financial burdens on veterans who may otherwise wait long periods for their reimbursements.
PROVISION 03
The bill removes the old, fixed mileage rate (41.5 cents per mile) from the law and replaces it with a flexible rate tied to the federal employee standard.
This change ensures the VA's reimbursement rate can automatically adjust over time, preventing it from becoming outdated without further legislative action.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 51
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
54
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 24%
DEM 45 REP 6 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSAPR 11
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
FEB 13
Introduced in House
FEB 13
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 1288
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 13, 2025
Last actionApr 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 13, 2025
House BillHR 1288Veterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation
DRIVE Act of 2025
INTRODUCED FEB 13, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
51
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
