H.R. 9316 — Introduced in House

I 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9316 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 15, 2026Ms. King-Hinds introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the eligibility of veterans with service-connected disabilities who reside in certain territories or the Freely Associated States for payments or allowances for beneficiary travel. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Travel Assistance for Veterans in Medical Deserts Act. 2. Expansion of eligibility of veterans with service-connected disabilities who reside in certain territories or the Freely Associated States for payments or allowances for beneficiary travel Section 111(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(B)— (A) by striking rated at 30 percent or more. and inserting an em dash; and (B) by adding at the end the following new clauses: (i) rated at 30 percent or more; or (ii) without regard to rating in the case of a veteran who resides in a covered jurisdiction in which no medical facility of the Department is located. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) In this subsection: (A) The term covered jurisdiction means a territory or the Freely Associated States. (B) The term Freely Associated States has the meaning given such term in subsection (h). (C) The term territory has the meaning given such term in section 5 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (Public Law 114–187; 48 U.S.C. 2104). .