“High gas prices in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have limited the ability of Kansas veterans to afford trips to the doctor,” Moran said. “Our nation made the promise of accessible health care to our veterans, and we have a responsibility to keep that promise.”

Moran and Barrow are asking House Leadership to create equitable reimbursement rates for disabled veterans. In September, the Internal Revenue Service recommended that public and private employers raise mileage reimbursement rates from 40.5 cents per mile to 48.5 cents in response to high gas prices. Veterans have yet to see relief. Disabled veterans traveling to receive medical care are currently reimbursed at 11 cents per mile, a rate that has not increased since 1977.

“Higher reimbursement rates are particularly important in rural areas where veterans must travel long distances to receive medical care,” Moran said. “This action is needed to ensure veterans are treated equitably and honorably after giving so much to our country.”

Moran is also a sponsor of H.R. 4025, the Disabled Veterans Fairness Act, and H.R. 3147, the Veterans Road to Health Care Act, both of which would raise veterans’ mileage reimbursement rates to 48.5 cents.   

Moran is a senior member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. His efforts to increase travel reimbursement rates for disabled veterans are supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS (American Veterans) and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

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