Pappas, Bilirakis Fight to Ensure All Veterans Have Continued Access to Reimbursement Payments

Today, Congressmen Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) filed the Preserving Access to Patient Reimbursement Act (PAPR Act), which will ensure all veterans are able to file for reimbursement for VA-related travel expenses, regardless of where they live. 

Recent changes to the VA Travel Reimbursement program will require all travel reimbursement forms to be submitted online beginning in fiscal year 2024. Under the previous policy, online submissions were encouraged, but paper forms were available for veterans who did not have access to a computer or internet connectivity, or did not have the capability to navigate the online portal. 

Many veterans in the most rural parts of New Hampshire lack access to broadband, and must travel long distances to access VA care. These veterans rely upon the travel reimbursement program to be able to afford that commute to their doctor appointments, and this new legislation would ensure they can still access travel reimbursements through the use of paper forms that would continue to be made available at VA health centers. 

“For many New Hampshire veterans, seeking VA care means traveling long distances across our state to reach a community-based outpatient clinic or VA hospital,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “We ought to make it easier for these veterans to receive the travel reimbursements they are owed, and I’m glad to partner with Congressman Bilirakis on this commonsense legislation to ensure reimbursement forms are available via mail and at all VA facilities - not just online.”

“It is simply unconscionable that the VA would implement a nationwide policy that threatens to leave many of our most vulnerable Veterans behind,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “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 to this manufactured problem is implemented.”