H.R. 5277 · 119th Congress
HEAL Act
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R
LawlerSponsor3 cosponsors · 1 D, 2 R
0 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
This bill modifies the administration of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel benefit available to individuals traveling for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for examination, treatment, or care.
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Sep 10, 2025
Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act or the HEAL Act
This bill modifies the administration of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel benefit available to individuals traveling for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for examination, treatment, or care.
The bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel to or from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment or care. Specifically, the bill raises the rate from 41.5 cents per mile to the rate for a privately owned automobile when no government vehicle is available (currently 70 cents per mile).
The bill prohibits the VA from requiring a deductible for beneficiary travel for examination, treatment, or care.
The bill also provides that veterans service organizations and veterans service agencies that provide transportation for examinations, treatment, or care to veterans may be allowed expenses of travel upon the same basis as such veteran beneficiaries.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: HEAL Act
Also known as: Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act
Latest action (Sep 22, 2025): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: House · Introduced: Sep 10, 2025
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.