VETS BILL WOULD EXPAND CAREGIVER SUPPORT, BOOST IN-HOME CARE OPTIONS

House and Senate lawmakers unveiled a bipartisan package of veterans bills which would dramatically expand in-home care for aging veterans, boost assistance for homeless veterans and mandate specific progress points for the department’s electronic health records overhaul.

The measure—expected to cost $1.7 billion over the next 10 years—has the support of key leaders from both chambersand could be passed into law in the next few weeks, provided party leaders can navigate potential congressional roadblocks.

Members of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees have been working on the proposals behind the scenes since last fall, and praised the legislation as a chance to enact swift, meaningful changes for a host of veterans and family members.

“This bill would expand economic opportunities for veterans, give veterans more choice in where they choose to live out their sunset years or receive health care, improve mental health support for veteran caregivers, hold VA accountable to the taxpayers and veterans they serve, and so much more,” House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., said in a statement.

“Each of these improvements will make a positive impact on veterans and their families every single day, and I look forward to passing this good bill out of the House soon.”

Similarly, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., called the measure a collection of “common sense” improvements to help veterans.

The measure already has backing from a host of veterans groups, but House Democrats have yet to announce their stance on the ideas.

More help for caregivers – The legislation—named for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who has been a vocal advocate on military caregivers issues for more than a decade—includes 15 separate bills from both Republicans and Democrats already pending in Congress.

The highest profile may be the bipartisan Home Care Act, which would expand access to home-based and community-based services at every VA medical center. Supporters have said that will allow tens of thousands more veterans to receive medical care at home rather than in nursing home institutions, if they choose to do so.

It would increase the cap for in-home care programs from 65% of nursing home costs to 100%, potentially providing thousands of dollars more a month to eligible families. In some cases, that figure could go even higher, if VA officials decide that at-home care is “in the best interest of the veterans.”

The legislation would also require an overhaul of the programs and processes surrounding those at-home care options, and clear up criteria for enrollment in VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. And it would create a mental health care grant program for family caregivers in the VA’s current program.

Eligibility for the PCAFC, which includes monthly stipends for family members who act as caregivers for infirm veterans, has been a point of contention in recent years.

The bill also funds several new pilot programs to address shortages of home health aides in some regions and to research the effectiveness of assisted living services for veterans.