Dusty Johnson: “recently I joined my colleague, Senator Nelson of Nebraska, in introducing the Emergency Energy Assistance for Disabled…”

“recently I joined my colleague, Senator Nelson of Nebraska, in introducing the Emergency Energy Assistance for Disabled Veterans Act. I am supporting this bill because I am concerned about inadequate reimbursement rates offered to veterans who must travel to VA facilities for treatment. The VA beneficiary travel program reimburses veterans 11 cents for every mile they are required to drive in order to visit a VA doctor. This reimbursement often is not enough to cover the cost of the trip, especially given high gas prices and the lengthy distances some veterans must travel. The State of South Dakota is home to almost 77,000 veterans-- approximately 10 percent of the State's population. Today gasoline averages $2.97 per gallon. In rural States such as South Dakota, many veterans must travel more than 120 miles each way in order to reach a veterans hospital. South Dakotans living in Selby and Gettysburg must travel as much as 170 miles. With the price of gas rising, the fixed mileage reimbursement leaves these veterans behind. Oil companies are reaping substantial profits without reinvesting these profits in the infrastructure that helps keep gasoline markets operating smoothly. I am deeply concerned that these companies are being paid billions in profits while at the same time receiving tax cuts and incentives. On the opposite end of the spectrum, veterans are forced to make tough choices in order to afford driving to the VA for treatment.…”