Rubio and Sinema File Companion to Bilirakis Bill in the Senate

Washington, DC:  Earlier today Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced the Preserving Access to Patient Reimbursement Act in the United States Senate.  This bipartisan bill is a companion to the House Bill introduced by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Chris Pappas (D-NH) in the House earlier this year in response to an uptick in constituent complaints and casework from Veterans in his district who are experiencing difficulty getting travel reimbursements processed since the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) rolled out a new web-based travel reimbursement program to replace the paper claim system used to reimburse Veterans for travel expenses to and from medical appointments. Veterans nationwide are having issues with the new computerized system due to a lack of computer accessibility or experience. Bilirakis’s bill and its Senate companion will ensure Veterans have access to a paper option for reimbursement.

“I’m proud to be partnering with Senators Rubio and Sinema to rectify this manufactured crisis created by the VA,” said Congressman Bilirakis.  “It is simply unconscionable that the VA would implement a nationwide policy that threatens to leave many of our most vulnerable Veterans behind. By effectively eliminating access to the travel reimbursement program for some Veterans, the VA is jeopardizing their ability to get the healthcare they’ve earned and deserve. While we are working to expand broadband connectivity throughout the country, there are still swaths that do not have access, including parts of my district. Also, many elderly Veterans and those with physical impairments do not have the capability to navigate the online portal. All of these Veterans deserve access to care and to the reimbursement program. I will not stop fighting until a commonsense solution is implemented.”

“While the intention of the VA’s new web-based travel program may have been good, the computerized system has missed its mark and created a barrier for many of our veterans. My Preserving Access to Patient Reimbursement Act would ensure that our nation’s veterans continue to have access to paper forms,” said Senator Rubio

““Our brave veterans risked everything to keep us safe – they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the benefits they’ve earned. That’s why we’re making it easier for veterans to get reimbursed for medical travel,” added Senator Sinema.