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VA INCREASES VETS' TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT TO 28.5 CENTS

PER MILE -- But, increase will be diluted by jump in

deductible from $6.00 to $15.54 per round trip.

OK, folks.  Here's the mileage increase you've been wanting.

But, notice that the new deductible will eat up a good part of it.

What?  You expected the VA to keep the same deductible?  Congress doesn't love you enough to do that.

VA press release here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/vap08/vap013108-1.htm 

Press release below:

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VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans

January 31, 2008

Peake: Disabled Veterans Earned Increase

WASHINGTON – Over a million eligible veterans will see their mileage reimbursement more than double starting tomorrow, for travel to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.

“This increase helps veterans -- especially those living in rural areas -- offset some of the gasoline costs as they travel to VA’s world-class health care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Increasing the mileage reimbursement is one more step by VA to help veterans access the health care they deserve.”

The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. The increase goes into effect on Feb. 1.

After little more then a month on the job, Secretary Peake used his authority to establish the first increase in the mileage reimbursement in 30 years, fulfilling a pledge he made during his Senate confirmation hearing last month.

While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

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posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org

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