Helping Veterans Afford the Trip to the Doctor
By: U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis

The year was 1977. Jimmy Carter was President of the United States. Star Wars was the top grossing movie of the year. Alex Haley's best seller turned mini-series, Roots, aired before a record television audience. It was also the last time federal mileage reimbursement rates were updated for disabled veterans traveling to see their doctor for a service connected condition.

Under the Department of Veterans Affairs' Beneficiary Travel Program, disabled veterans going to the doctor for a service connected condition are currently reimbursed at a mere eleven cents a mile. The price of a gallon of gasoline in 1977 was sixty-two cents compared with today's price of $3 per gallon. Gas prices remain seventy cents more per gallon than at this time last year. It doesn't take much thought to see the disparity.

During my travels through the 4th District I've had veterans living on a fixed budget tell me the cost of gas has limited their ability to access medical care. In limiting their ability to access care I mean the costs associated with traveling (i.e. gas) puts a big dent in their pocket. Chief Warrant Officer (ret.) Donald Mustard, Cumberland County's VA Service Officer, told me that, "the current rate is so far out of line, it's embarrassing."

In an effort to right this disparity I have asked House Appropriators to raise the reimbursement rate for disabled veterans to meet the high costs associated with traveling to and from their doctor's office. Quite simply, this issue comes down to priorities and taking care of the needs of our deserving veterans' population.

Be sure to thank a veteran on Veterans' Day and everyday for his or her service.

Lincoln Davis represents the 4th Congressional District of Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives.