Key Facts
- Veteran mileage rate
- 41.5 cents per mile
- Federal employee rate
- 72.5 cents per mile
- Difference
- 31 cents per mile
- Rural veterans in U.S.
- 4.5 million
- Rural veterans enrolled in VA health care
- 3 million
- DRIVE Act status
- Stalled in committee
Background
Paul Smith, a 60-year-old disabled U.S. Army veteran from Ouray, Colo., lives with PTSD and travels 196 miles round trip to the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical clinic for approved care. He says the mileage reimbursement he receives is far less than what VA employees earn for approved travel.
The 2026 federal rate for authorized employee travel is 72.5 cents per mile, while eligible veterans traveling for VA-approved care receive 41.5 cents per mile. The difference is 31 cents per mile absorbed by veterans who may be on fixed incomes with serious medical needs.
Smith served as an Army specialist at Fort Bragg, N.C., from 1984 to 1988. He told Military.com that during 2025 he traveled 7,372 miles to attend 52 medically necessary in-person appointments at VA medical centers and through VA-authorized Community Care.
Current Situation
In June 2026, Congress unveiled the 554-page Take Care of America's Veterans Act, a package of more than 60 bills impacting veterans and their benefits, but it has drawn strong opposition. The DRIVE Act, introduced in 2025, is not included in that legislation.
The DRIVE Act would tie VA mileage reimbursements for veteran care to the GSA rate and require properly submitted claims to be paid within 90 days. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) is a sponsor. The bill is currently stalled in both houses of Congress.
According to legislative records, both H.R. 1288 and S. 599 have 55 combined cosponsors but remain at the committee level. The House bill was referred to the Health Subcommittee, while the Senate bill received a hearing but not a floor vote.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026 federal employee rate (cents/mile) | 72.5 |
| 2026 veteran rate (cents/mile) | 41.5 |
| Difference (cents/mile) | 31 |
| Smith's 2025 miles traveled | 7,372 |
| Smith's 2025 in-person appointments | 52 |
| Rural veterans in U.S. (millions) | 4.5 |
| Rural veterans enrolled in VA health care (millions) | 3 |
| Round-trip deductible ($) | 6 |
| Monthly deductible cap ($) | 18 |
Impacts
The VA does not account for fuel and maintenance costs for veterans traveling for approved care. It charges veterans a $6 round-trip deductible up to $18 per month. After paying $18 in a month, the VA pays the full cost of approved travel for the rest of that month, as required by law.
Smith said the lower reimbursement forces him to choose between telehealth and in-person care. He said many in-person appointments are more effective and meaningful for him, but he cannot always justify the out-of-pocket expense.
According to the VA, there are 4.5 million rural veterans in the U.S., with three million enrolled in VA health care and entitled to mileage reimbursements. Smith cited VA data showing mental-health care delivered through VA's Clinical Resource Hubs more than doubled for rural veterans between 2020 and 2024.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the DRIVE Act passes, VA mileage reimbursements for veterans could be tied to the GSA rate, potentially reducing the financial burden on rural veterans. However, the bill remains stalled at the committee level in both chambers.
If the bill continues to stall, veterans like Smith may continue to rely on telehealth to fill gaps when in-person visits are not financially practical. The choice between telehealth and in-person care may remain influenced by cost rather than medical needs.
The VA spokesperson said the VA does not typically comment on pending litigation and is required to follow state and federal law, including any changes that arise. The future of the DRIVE Act remains unclear.
Source: military.com
खबर को बेहतर समझें
आंकड़े, तुलना और घटनाक्रम—एक ही जगह, बिना अनुमान के
VA Mileage Reimbursement Rates and Veteran Travel Data
Round-trip deductible ($)6
सटीक आंकड़े देखें
| श्रेणी | Value |
|---|---|
| 2026 federal employee rate (cents/mile) | 72.5 |
| 2026 veteran rate (cents/mile) | 41.5 |
| Difference (cents/mile) | 31 |
| Smith's 2025 miles traveled | 7,372 |
| Smith's 2025 in-person appointments | 52 |
| Rural veterans in U.S. (millions) | 4.5 |
| Rural veterans enrolled in VA health care (millions) | 3 |
| Round-trip deductible ($) | 6 |
स्रोत:military.com स्रोत-समर्थित
