After months of delay, VA has released its report on the possibility of expanding the enhanced caregiver benefits available through VA to caregivers of veterans of all eras.VA estimates that expanding the program would provide eligibility for 32,000-88,000 additional veterans.
VA released the report as a requirement of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163), which created new supports for caregivers of veterans. Under the law, caregivers for all eligible veterans who are enrolled in VA’s healthcare system have access to education, support services, counseling, mental health services, and respite care. For the caregivers of veterans who have a serious injury due to military service on or after September 11, 2001, a monthly stipend and access to medical care is also available. This legislation also required VA to submit a report to Congress about the feasibility of extending these enhanced caregiver benefits to the caregivers of all veterans that have serious service-connected injuries.
In a report released on September 4, VA stated that expansion is “operationally feasible.” However, VA expressed concern over how such an expansion would be funded. Specifically, VA stated that it could not make a recommendation for Congress to expand the program apart from a discussion on the resources needed to make such an expansion possible. For example, VA believes that it would need an additional 2,000 full-time staff positions to be able to handle the increased workload. In short, the main issue of concern is resources needed to carry out the program, not whether there is a need.
VetsFirst continues to believe that the determination of which caregivers receive comprehensive caregiver benefits should be based on a veteran’s level of need, and not when the veteran served.
As such, we continue to support legislation introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) which would give VA the authority to expand its caregiver services. Chairman Sanders’ legislation, the Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act (S. 851), would provide the same critical supports to veterans of previous eras as those currently available to caregivers of certain veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. At a recent event in Washington, DC focused on the mental health needs of wounded veterans, we are proud to report that Chairman Sanders continued to champion this critical legislation.
Many families of disabled veterans play a crucial role in providing needed services and supports that allow veterans to return to, and remain in, their homes. The sacrifice of family caregivers not only supports veterans, but also their families; and the VA’s mission, as President Lincoln said, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan.” The commitment of caregivers to our nation’s veterans has been evident for many decades and this legislation would further recognize their service.
We urge you to contact your United States Senators to let them know that you support S. 851 and that you would like for them to support it, too.