Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9316
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T22:03:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to expand access to travel payments or allowances for veterans with service-connected disabilities who live in certain U.S. territories or the Freely Associated States, particularly in areas lacking Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is named the "Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act."
- Amendment to Existing Law: It modifies Section 111(b) of Title 38, United States Code, which governs beneficiary travel benefits.
- In paragraph (1)(B), it adds a new clause allowing eligibility "without regard to rating" for veterans residing in a "covered jurisdiction" where no VA medical facility exists.
- It inserts definitions for key terms, including:
- "Covered jurisdiction" as a territory or the Freely Associated States.
- "Freely Associated States" as defined in subsection (h) of the same section.
- "Territory" as defined in Section 5 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (48 U.S.C. 2104).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Current law limits travel benefits to veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 30 percent or more.
- The bill introduces an exception: eligibility applies regardless of disability rating if the veteran lives in a qualifying territory or Freely Associated State without a VA medical facility, effectively broadening access in underserved "medical desert" locations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The VA may face increased administrative and financial responsibilities for processing additional travel claims from eligible veterans in remote areas.
- On Citizens: Veterans with service-connected disabilities in affected regions could receive broader reimbursement for travel to VA care, reducing out-of-pocket costs in locations with limited local options.
- On International Relations: The inclusion of the Freely Associated States (such as the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau) may extend U.S. veteran support obligations under existing compacts of free association, potentially affecting diplomatic and aid frameworks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Veterans with service-connected disabilities residing in U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands) or the Freely Associated States.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs, responsible for implementing and funding the expanded benefits.
- Congressional committees overseeing veterans' affairs, as the bill was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- This represents a targeted statutory expansion of VA benefits without altering core eligibility structures for veterans outside the specified jurisdictions.
- No direct constitutional issues are raised in the bill text, as it operates within Congress's authority to regulate veterans' benefits under Title 38.
- Politically, it addresses access disparities in non-contiguous U.S. areas, potentially influencing future debates on equitable distribution of federal veteran services.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-15: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act — issued 2026-06-15 — PDF (3 pages)