Travel reimbursement more than doubles for U.S. veterans

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

************************* Stupak announces increase in travel reimbursement rate for veterans WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced that for the first time in 30 years the mileage reimbursement rate for veterans traveling to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility has increased.

The new rate is more than double what veterans have been receiving for three decades, increasing from 11 cents a mile to 28.5 cents a mile.

"My district is home to more than 75,000 veterans - more than any other congressional district in Michigan - and many of them have to travel long distances to get to a VA facility," Stupak said. "Our veterans have earned and were promised top-notch medical care. The cost of getting to a VA facility should not discourage them from seeking out this care."

Today's mileage reimbursement increase was included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act, passed by Congress and signed into law in December.

The bill included $125 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the mileage reimbursement rate.

The increase is the first since 1979, when gas was 85 cents a gallon.

The average cost of gas in Michigan this week is $2.98.

"The reimbursement rate for veterans has not kept pace with inflation or the cost of living," Stupak said. "Today's increase is a positive step, but it's not enough to only adjust the rate once every 30 years."

Stupak originally introduced legislation in June 2000 that would bring the veterans reimbursement rate to the same level as the federal employee reimbursement rate.

H.R. 963, The Veterans Travel Fairness Act, would also ensure that any future increase in the federal employee reimbursement rate would apply to the veterans reimbursement rate.

"While I am pleased with the progress we've made so far, more has to be done," Stupak said. "Many of our veterans programs have been neglected for far too long. We have an obligation to ensure the men and women who fought for this country are provided for in the manner they were promised."

Stupak has been a leader in Congress on issues important to Northern Michigan's veterans, troops and their families.

In March 2007, Stupak announced that the VA was opening a veteran's service center in Escanaba in 2008.

A measure Stupak authored was signed into law requiring federal facilities to lower their flags to half staff in honor of fallen heroes upon a governor's proclamation.

In December, Stupak successfully pushed for a provision in the Defense Authorization Act allowing national guardsmen and reservists to utilize their education benefit under the G.I. Bill even upon discharge from the Armed Forces and championed legislation to require the military to pay all promised bonuses in full to service men and women severely injured in the line of duty.

Stupak also authored the "Fallen Service Member Respectful Return Amendment" to the Defense Authorization Act after hearing from families who had difficulties persuading the Department of Defense to transport the remains of their loved ones to the nearest airport.

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