H.R. 5277 119th Congress House

HEAL Act

Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the payments or allowances that individuals, including veterans service organizations, receive for transport… Show full official titleShow less

Introduced: September 10, 2025 Introduced by: Michael Lawler Republican · New York See on congress.gov

Armed Forces and National Security

Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Sep 22, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Sep 10, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sep 10, 2025

Introduced in House

Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

What's happening now September 22, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Heroes Earned Affordable Lifts Act or the HEAL Act

This bill modifies the administration of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel benefit available to individuals traveling for vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for examination, treatment, or care.

The bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel to or from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment or care. Specifically, the bill raises the rate from 41.5 cents per mile to the rate for a privately owned automobile when no government vehicle is available (currently 70 cents per mile).

The bill prohibits the VA from requiring a deductible for beneficiary travel for examination, treatment, or care.

The bill also provides that veterans service organizations and veterans service agencies that provide transportation for examinations, treatment, or care to veterans may be allowed expenses of travel upon the same basis as such veteran beneficiaries.

Bill text 1 version