Bill Overview
Title: DRIVE Act
Description: This bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate available to beneficiaries for travel to or from Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. Specifically, the bill makes the reimbursement rate for such travel equal to or greater than the mileage reimbursement rate for government employees using private vehicles when no government vehicle is available.
Sponsors: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals who are beneficiaries of Department of Veterans Affairs facilities
Estimated Size: 19150000
- The bill focuses on individuals who utilize Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.
- The primary beneficiaries are those participating in vocational rehabilitation or requiring counseling, examination, treatment, or care.
- The impacted population would include veterans who rely on mileage reimbursement for their travel to VA facilities.
- The increase in reimbursement aligns with government employee rates, suggesting a financial improvement for qualifying travelers.
Reasoning
- The population targeted by the DRIVE Act is veterans who are current beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. This number is estimated at around 19.5 million, but not all would seek or require reimbursement for travel.
- The policy may have a high impact on those who frequently travel long distances for VA services, particularly those who are financially constrained.
- The diversity of the veteran population means the impact may vary based on factors like geographic location, reliance on VA services, financial need, and frequency of VA visits.
- Some veterans may experience no change if they do not travel to VA facilities, while others may see significant increases in their disposable income, potentially improving their overall wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
retired (rural Texas)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This increase would make my regular travel to VA much less burdensome financially.
- It shows that there's real appreciation for veterans' sacrifices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
student (urban California)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will ease the cost I incur for traveling to my vocational program.
- I would feel more supported in my transition to civilian employment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
part-time clerk (small town Ohio)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The increase in reimbursement will help me afford my counseling visits.
- It's a relief to have more of my expenses covered, reducing my financial stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
unemployed (rural Alabama)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With this increase, I can more easily afford to travel for my necessary treatment.
- This policy is crucial for veterans like me who need ongoing support but struggle financially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
self-employed (suburban Florida)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't travel to VA facilities enough for this policy to make a big difference for me.
- It's a good move overall, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
consultant (urban New York)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I visit the VA infrequently, so this policy doesn't affect me directly.
- However, it seems like a fair policy for those who need it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
retired (rural Montana)
Age: 72 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This new policy would really help cover my driving expenses to the VA, which are frequent.
- It would significantly ease the financial burden of my healthcare costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
office worker (urban Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reimbursement increase supports my efforts to improve my career skills.
- It's a practical enhancement to veteran's benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
mechanic (suburban Virginia)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is good, but I travel to the VA infrequently.
- For those who go often, it's definitely a necessary change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
retired (urban Pennsylvania)
Age: 73 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This would definitely help with my occasional trips to the VA.
- Although I don't travel as often as others, it's good for those who need it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $450000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $500000000)
Year 2: $460000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $510000000)
Year 3: $470000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $520000000)
Year 5: $490000000 (Low: $440000000, High: $540000000)
Year 10: $550000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $600000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1100000000)
Key Considerations
- The primary intent is to ensure fair reimbursement for veterans traveling to VA facilities for various essential services.
- The bill aligns reimbursement rates with those provided to government employees, indicating an emphasis on equitable treatment.
- The impact may vary based on veterans' geographic distribution and their access to VA facilities.