VA Press release on Mileage rate Increase

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for Eligible Veterans
Peake: Disabled Veterans Earned Increase
WASHINGTON (January 31, 2008) - 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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