Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP)
Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the "Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act." It aims to expand who can get payments or allowances for beneficiary travel. Specifically, it helps veterans with service-connected disabilities who live in certain territories or the Freely Associated States. It allows these veterans to qualify for travel assistance even if they do not have a disability rating of 30 percent or more, provided there is no Department medical facility in their covered jurisdiction.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
Directly increases travel benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities in specific regions.
- Scored +8
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
Directly expands travel payment eligibility for veterans in specific underserved regions.
- Scored +7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Specifically targets veterans with disabilities to ensure they can access medical services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Access to Travel Payments: Veterans in covered jurisdictions without a Department medical facility can now receive beneficiary travel allowances regardless of their disability rating. This is found in Section 2, which amends Section 111(b) of title 38, United States Code.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Directly increases travel benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities in specific regions. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Specifically targets veterans with disabilities to ensure they can access medical services. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Targets veterans in territories and medical deserts which are often rural or remote. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides financial relief for travel costs to medical appointments. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retired veterans benefit from the expanded travel allowances. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Many seniors are veterans who may benefit from expanded travel assistance. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Reduces out-of-pocket expenses for travel to healthcare.
- Healthcare
- Does this help veterans get medical care? — Expands travel assistance for veterans in medical deserts, improving their ability to access care. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Reduces financial barriers to healthcare for veterans in territories and Freely Associated States.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Directly expands travel payment eligibility for veterans in specific underserved regions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Expands benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities regardless of their specific rating in certain areas. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides additional financial assistance for travel to those who may have been ineligible due to disability ratings.
- 6/26/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in House
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California