Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021
Bill: S.2627 | Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon (D-MT)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2021
This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) transportation benefits for certain veterans.
First, the bill makes permanent the authority for the VA to transport any person to or from a VA facility or other place in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for an examination, treatment, or care.
The bill also permanently extends the authorization of appropriations for grants provided to state veterans service agencies and veterans service organizations to transport highly rural veterans for medical care.
The bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study fraud, waste, and abuse of benefits under the VA beneficiary travel program and report the findings to Congress. The GAO must also study and report on (1) the efficacy of the current mileage reimbursement rate under the program in mitigating the financial burden of transportation costs for traveling to and from VA medical facilities for care, (2) the origins of the amount of the deductible and its impact on the efficacy of the benefits provided in mitigating the financial burden on veterans seeking medical care, and (3) recommendations for how this program or another program could further encourage veterans to seek medical care.
The bill also requires the VA to implement various pilot programs related to transportation benefits for veterans for specified purposes.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve assistance for 
veterans with travel necessary for counseling, mental health services, 
    health care, and others services furnished by the Department of 
               Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement 
Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. MAKING PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO 
              TRANSPORT INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

    Section 111A(a) of title 38, United States Code is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2); and
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1)''.

SEC. 3. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
              GRANTS FOR VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR 
              TRANSPORTATION OF HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

    Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health 
Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is 
amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section amounts as follows:
            ``(1) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 
        2022.
            ``(2) Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023 
        and each fiscal year thereafter.''.

SEC. 4. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES REPORT ON FRAUD, 
              WASTE, AND ABUSE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              BENEFICIARY TRAVEL PROGRAM.

    (a) Study and Report Required.--Not later than three years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall--
            (1) complete a study on fraud, waste, and abuse of the 
        benefits furnished under section 111 of title 38, United States 
        Code, that may have occurred during the five-year period ending 
        on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the findings of the Comptroller 
        General with respect to the study completed under paragraph 
        (1).
    (b) Elements.--Study conducted under subsection (a)(1) shall cover 
the following:
            (1) The quantity and monetary amount of claims that have 
        been adjudicated as fraudulent or improper, disaggregated, to 
        the extent possible, by general health care travel and by 
        special mode of transportation.
            (2) Instances of potential fraud or improper payments that 
        may have occurred but were not detected, disaggregated, to the 
        extent possible, by general health care travel and by special 
        mode of transportation.
            (3) The efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
        mitigate fraud and the effectiveness of the efforts of the 
        Secretary.
            (4) Assessment of communication and training provided by 
        the Department of Veterans Affairs to employees and contractors 
        handling claims filed under section 111 of such title regarding 
        fraud.
            (5) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General may 
        have for further mitigation of fraud, waste, and abuse.

SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY AND REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF 
              DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BENEFICIARY TRAVEL PROGRAM 
              MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT AND DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNTS.

    Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) complete a study on--
                    (A) the efficacy of the current mileage 
                reimbursement rate under subsection (a) of section 111 
                of title 38, United States Code, in mitigating the 
                financial burden of transportation costs for traveling 
                to and from Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
                facilities for medical care;
                    (B) the origins of the amount of the deductible 
                under subsection (c) of such section and its impact on 
                the efficacy of the benefits provided under such 
                section in mitigating financial burden on veterans 
                seeking medical care; and
                    (C) developing such recommendations as the 
                Comptroller General may have for how the this program 
                or another transportation assistance program could 
                further encourage veterans, especially low-income 
                veterans, to seek medical care, especially mental 
                health care; and
            (2) submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the findings of the Comptroller 
        General with respect to the study completed under paragraph 
        (1).

SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR 
              LOW INCOME VETERANS.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
commence carrying out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of providing payments authorized under subsection (a) of 
section 111 of title 38, United States Code, 48 hours in advance of 
travel to eligible appointments to veterans and other eligible 
individuals who are also eligible for a deduction waiver as provided by 
paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (c) of such section.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
during the five-year period beginning on the date of the commencement 
of the pilot program.
    (c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at 
not fewer than five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of 
the pilot program.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit 
        to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with 
        respect to the pilot program.
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The number of individuals who benefitted from 
                the pilot program broken, disaggregated by geographic 
                location, race or ethnicity, age, disability rating, 
                and gender.
                    (B) Average distance traveled by participants to 
                appointments and average funds provided per 
                appointment, disaggregated by geographic region.
                    (C) A description of any impediments to carrying 
                out the pilot program.
                    (D) An account of payments provided for travel that 
                did not occur or was authorized incorrectly.
                    (E) An account of any attempts to retrieve such 
                payment.
                    (F) Recommendations of the Secretary for 
                legislative or administrative action to reduce improper 
                payments.
                    (G) An assessment of the feasibility and 
                advisability of providing payments as described in 
                subsection (a).

SEC. 7. PILOT PROGRAM FOR TRAVEL COST REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACCESSING 
              READJUSTMENT COUNSELING SERVICES.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish and 
commence a pilot program, within the Readjustment Counseling Services 
of the Veterans Health Administration, to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of paying the actual necessary expenses of travel or 
allowances for travel to and from the nearest Vet Center.
    (b) Participation.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program required 
        by subsection (a), the Secretary shall limit participation--
                    (A) by individuals pursuant to paragraph (2); and
                    (B) by Vet Centers pursuant to paragraph (3).
            (2) Participation by individuals.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall limit 
                participation in the pilot program of individuals to 
                individuals who are eligible for services at a 
                participating Vet Center and experiencing financial 
                hardship.
                    (B) Financial hardship.--The Secretary shall 
                determine the meaning of ``financial hardship'' for 
                purposes of subparagraph (A).
            (3) Participation of vet centers.--Vet Centers 
        participating in the program shall be chosen by the Secretary 
        from among those serving individuals in areas designated by the 
        Secretary as rural or highly rural or Tribal lands.
    (c) Travel Allowances and Reimbursements.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), under 
        the pilot program required by subsection (a), the Secretary 
        shall provide a participating individual a travel allowance or 
        reimbursement a minimum of 48 hours before the participating 
        individual is scheduled to be at a participating Vet Center.
            (2) Special case.--For appointments scheduled less than 48 
        hours in advance, reimbursements shall be made available under 
        the pilot program for a participating individual at the 
        earliest time possible.
    (d) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
required by subsection (a) during the five-year period beginning on the 
date of the commencement of the pilot program.
    (e) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at 
not fewer than five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of 
the pilot program.
    (f) Annual Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
        the commencement of the pilot program required by subsection 
        (a) and each year thereafter for the duration of the pilot 
        program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' 
        Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
        findings of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program.
            (2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The number of individuals who benefitted from 
                the pilot program, disaggregated by age, race or 
                ethnicity, and gender, to the extent possible.
                    (B) The average distance traveled by each 
                individual per each Vet Center.
                    (C) The definition of financial hardship determined 
                by the Secretary under subsection (b)(2)(B).
                    (D) A description of how the funds are distributed.
                    (E) The average amount of funds distributed per 
                instance, disaggregated by Vet Center.
                    (F) A description of any impediments to the 
                Secretary in paying expenses or allowances under the 
                pilot program.
                    (G) An assessment of any fraudulent receipt of 
                payment under the pilot program and the recommendations 
                of the Secretary for legislative or administrative 
                action to reduce such fraud.
                    (H) Such recommendations for legislative or 
                administrative action as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate with respect to the payment of expenses or 
                allowances.
    (g) Vet Center Defined.--In this section, the term ``Vet Center'' 
means a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health 
services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, United States 
Code.

SEC. 8. PILOT PROGRAM ON GRANTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
              SERVICES FOR VETERANS.

    (a) Grant Program Required.--Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
commence carrying out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of awarding grants to eligible entities to improve public 
transportation services for veterans.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
during the five-year period beginning on the date on which the pilot 
program commences.
    (c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at 
not fewer than five locations selected by the Secretary for purposes of 
the pilot program.
    (d) Award of Grants.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
        Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities to expand, 
        retain, or establish public transportation services that 
        provide veterans access to locations of facilities or 
        organizations that serve veterans, including--
                    (A) facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs; and
                    (B) organizations that provide services to veterans 
                using funds provided by the Department.
            (2) Eligible entities.--For purposes of this section, an 
        eligible entity is any State, Tribal, county, or city 
        government that--
                    (A) is providing public transportation services as 
                of the date on which the pilot program commences; or
                    (B) has a proven ability and intention to establish 
                public transportation infrastructure.
            (3) Intervals of payment and maximum grant amount.--The 
        Secretary may establish intervals of payment for the 
        administration of grants under this section and a maximum grant 
        amount to be awarded, in accordance with the services being 
        provided and the duration of such services.
            (4) Coordination and consultation.--In awarding grants 
        under this section, the Secretary may coordinate and consult 
        with the Secretary of Transportation.
            (5) Equitable distribution.--The Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs shall ensure that, to the extent practicable, grants 
        awarded under this section are equitably distributed across 
        geographic regions, including rural and Tribal communities.
    (e) Grant Application.--
            (1) In general.--An eligible entity seeking the award of a 
        grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an 
        application therefor in such form, in such manner, and 
        containing such commitments and information as the Secretary 
        considers necessary to carry out this section.
            (2) Contents of application.--Each application submitted by 
        an eligible entity under paragraph (1) shall contain the 
        following:
                    (A) A description of the public transportation 
                services that the entity intends to provide under the 
                grant.
                    (B) A list of all sites accessed by the public 
                transportation services to be provided.
                    (C) The schedule of such services.
                    (D) A list of the locations of facilities and 
                organizations that serve veterans that will be accessed 
                by such services.
                    (E) An estimate of the number of veterans that 
                would use such services.
                    (F) Evidence of the ability of the entity to 
                provide such services.
    (f) Notification to Veterans.--Each eligible entity awarded a grant 
under this section shall notify veterans of the expansion or 
establishment of public transportation services to locations of 
facilities or organizations that serve veterans and that those services 
are available in whole or in part due to funds provided by the 
Department.
    (g) Report on Services Provided.--The Secretary shall require each 
eligible entity awarded a grant under this section to submit to the 
Secretary a report that describes the expansion, retention, or 
establishment of public transportation services provided with amounts 
under such grant.
    (h) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date on 
        which the first grant is awarded under this section, the 
        Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House 
        of Representatives a report on the services provided under the 
        pilot program.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The geographic location of each recipient of a 
                grant under this section.
                    (B) The estimated number of veterans served by each 
                such grant recipient.
                    (C) An assessment of whether use of facilities of 
                the Department has increased due to access to public 
                transportation provided under grants awarded under this 
                section, if information for such an assessment is 
                available.
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