H.R. 5277

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.