WASHINGTON -- Veterans can now collect 41.5 cents per mile for reimbursement for cost of travel to Veterans Affairs facilities for medical care, a Texas congressman reminded former service members Tuesday.

The reimbursement for veterans increased from 28.5 cents a mile on Monday. The increase was part of a record $16.3 billion increase in spending approved by Congress this year. President Bush signed the legislation before the elections.

Rep. Chet Edwards, chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees spending on veterans care, said travel reimbursements were frozen at 11 cents a mile since 1979 when gasoline was 95 cents a gallon until Congress passed a bill in January raising it to 28.5 cents per mile.

“This might not seem like a lot of money to a lot of people, but to rural veterans, it could be the difference between getting health care and going without,” Edwards said.

Deductibles for mileage reimbursement will decrease on Jan. 9, 2009, from $7.77 for a one-way trip to $3 and from $15.54 to $6 round trip. The maximum deductible of $46.42 per month will drop to $16, according to Veterans Affairs.