Omnibus bill will reform the delivery of services at VA by prioritizing veterans, their families, their caregivers and their survivors.
Congress gave final approval on Dec. 16 to the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which contains dozens of provisions ranging from health care and benefits to homelessness and oversight of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
American Legion National Commander James A. LaCoursiere Jr. thanked Congress for the significant victory for the nation’s veterans, their families and caregivers.
“We are so incredibly happy for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, our VSO partners who helped achieve this victory, and of course, the veterans and their families who benefit from this legislation,” LaCoursiere said. “We are grateful to members of Congress from both sides of the aisle who helped ensure America keeps its promise to care for its veterans after their service. This bill goes a long way in fulfilling that promise.”
The omnibus bill will enhance and reform the delivery of services at VA by prioritizing veterans, their families, their caregivers and their survivors. Several proposals are endorsed by The American Legion and represent key legislative priorities for the organization this year.
A key component is the caregiver aspect. Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care generally may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.)
House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., praised the bill’s passage.
“There is no better way to close out the Congress than to pass a good bill for veterans and their families,” Bost said. “I am so proud of the changes the Dole Act will bring to VA to modernize, improve, and reshape the delivery of care and benefits. We worked hard to craft this legislation to put veterans – not government bureaucracy – at the core of it. The Dole Act will do that by expanding economic opportunities, simplifying the disability claims process, reforming services for aging veterans, opening more doors for mental health support, and a lot more.”
The legislation now moves to the president’s desk for his signature.
- Legislative