WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HR 9316

Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act

119th Congress Introduced by Mark Takano

Expands beneficiary travel payments to veterans with service-connected disabilities residing in certain U.S. territories and Freely Associated States to improve VA access.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9316

Summary of HR 9316 (Session 119)

Purpose and intent

HR 9316 seeks to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for payments or allowances for beneficiary travel for certain veterans. Specifically, it aims to broaden the group of veterans who can receive beneficiary travel payments when they reside in designated territories or the Freely Associated States (FAS). The bill’s intent is to improve access to VA health care by reducing travel barriers for veterans living outside the continental United States in specified regions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Scope of eligibility broadened: The bill expands eligibility for beneficiary travel payments/allowances to include veterans with service-connected disabilities who reside in:

    • Certain U.S. territories, and
    • Freely Associated States (as defined under U.S. law and international agreements).

  • Beneficiary travel benefits affected: Payments or allowances authorized for travel to VA facilities for medical care or related purposes, previously limited to other categories of veterans or locations, would now extend to the newly covered territories and FAS residents.

  • Administration and funding considerations (likely): While the bill text would detail administrative mechanisms (claims, eligibility determinations, and reimbursement procedures) and potential funding implications, the summary notes would typically cover:

    • How veterans file claims for travel payments.
    • Any new eligibility verification requirements.
    • Potential budgetary impact or appropriations required to support expanded travel benefits.

Who would be affected

  • Veterans with service-connected disabilities who reside in:

    • U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, etc., as specified by the bill) and/or
    • Freely Associated States (FAS; nations in free association with the United States, such as the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, subject to the bill’s definitions).

  • VA healthcare beneficiaries who rely on beneficiary travel to access VA medical services and currently reside in the eligible non-contiguous regions.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced and referred: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on June 15, 2026.
  • Next steps in process: Committee consideration, potential markups, and subsequent floor action in the House. If approved, it would move to the Senate for consideration, where it would undergo its own committee review and potential amendments.
  • Implementation timeline: As with most VA benefit expansions, any new eligibility would depend on enactment into law and subsequent implementing regulations or program updates by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Access to care: By extending beneficiary travel payments to veterans in more remote or non-contiguous areas, the bill could reduce out-of-pocket travel costs and financial barriers to obtaining VA medical services.
  • Administrative changes: VA would need to adjust eligibility criteria, outreach materials, and claims processing systems to accommodate the expanded beneficiary travel eligibility.
  • Budgetary implications: The expansion could increase program outlays for beneficiary travel payments; appropriate funding and appropriations would be needed to sustain the expanded eligibility.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated intent and provisions as described in the available information. For full details, including the exact statutory language, definitions of eligible territories and FAS, and any related eligibility criteria or limits, the full bill text and any associated committee reports should be consulted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.