TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS.

SEC. 104. TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF PAYMENTS AND ALLOWANCES FOR BENEFICIARY TRAVEL IN CONNECTION WITH VETERANS RECEIVING CARE FROM VET CENTERS. (a) In General.—Beginning one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall commence an initiative, to run through the date on which the pilot program required by subsection (a) of section 244 of the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022 commences at each of the locations described in subsection (e)(2)(A) of such section, to assess the feasibility and advisability of paying under section 111(a) of title 38, United States Code, the actual necessary expenses of travel or allowances for travel from a residence located in an area that is designated by the Secretary as highly rural to the nearest Vet Center and from such Vet Center to such residence. (b) Report.— (1) In general.—Not later than March 31, 2018, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Secretary with respect to the initiative required by subsection (a). (2) Elements.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the individuals who benefitted from payment under the initiative. (B) A description of any impediments to the Secretary in paying expenses or allowances under the initiative. (C) A description of any impediments encountered by individuals in receiving such payments. (D) An assessment of the feasibility and advisability of paying such expenses or allowances. (E) An assessment of any fraudulent receipt of payment under the initiative and the recommendations of the Secretary for legislative or administrative action to reduce such fraud. (F) Such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary considers appropriate with respect to the payment of expenses or allowances as described in subsection (a). (c) Vet Center Defined.—In this section, the term “Vet Center” means a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section of title 38, United States Code.