HR 5277

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 10, 2025

Mr. Lawler introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the payments or allowances that individuals, including veterans service organizations, receive for transportation of veterans to or from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act” or the “HEAL Act”.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS OR ALLOWANCES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF VETERANS TO OR FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

(a) Milage Reimbursement Rate.—Section 111 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking “at a rate of 41.5 cents per mile” and inserting “at the rate prescribed under subsection (g)”;

(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking “Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section and notwithstanding subsection (g)(2) of this section or” and inserting “Notwithstanding”; and

(3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

“(g) The Secretary shall set the mileage rate under subsection (a) to be equal to the rate for a privately owned automobile when no Government vehicle is available, as prescribed by the Administrator of General Services under section 5707(b) of title 5.”.

(b) Prohibition on Certain Deductible Payments.—Section 111(c) of such title is amended to read as follows:

“(c) The Secretary may not require a deductible for travel for examination, treatment, or care under this section.”.

(c) Veterans Service Organizations.—

(1) Section 111(e)(2)(B) of such title is amended—

(A) by striking “subparagraph is” and all that follows and inserting “subparagraph is—”; and

(B) by adding at the end the following new clauses:

“(i) a provider of personal care services for such veteran who is approved under paragraph (6) of section 1720G(a) of this title or designated under paragraph (7) of such section 1720G(a);

“(ii) a veterans service organization that provides transportation for such veteran under section 111A of this title; or

“(iii) a veterans service agency of a local government, including an employee or a volunteer of such agency, that provides transportation for such veteran.”.

(2) Section 111A(b) of such title is amended—

(A) by striking “veterans’ service” and inserting “veterans service”; and

(B) by striking “, without reimbursement from the Department,” and inserting “(reimbursable by the Department only to the extent allowable under section 111 of this title)”. <all>