Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen VA Support for Disabled Veterans and Young Caregivers Reintroduced

​Last week, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and John Boozman (R-MA) reintroduced the Helping Heroes Act of 2023. This legislation aims to support families of disabled veterans, including children who take on caregiving roles. 

​Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has limited authority to support veteran families with healthy development, especially when it comes to children who take on these caregiving roles, according to the press release. The new legislation would provide access to mental health care, peer support, recreational opportunities, and greater overall support for children and eligible family members of disabled veterans.
 
“Our country has a serious obligation to support all of our veteran families, and that means making sure those who’ve stepped up as caregivers for their family—including our kids—aren’t shouldering that responsibility alone,” said Senator Murray. “I’m reintroducing this bipartisan legislation to make sure VA delivers much-needed care and support for our disabled veterans and their youngest caregivers.”
 
“This legislation is an investment in the families of our veterans,” said Senator Boozman. “Expanding the VA’s resources to better support eh education, health, and other needs of young caregivers is a critical part of our commitment to those who have served and sacrificed for our country and their loved ones.”
 
Senators Durbin (D-IL) Reed (D-RI), Shaheen (D-NH), Sanders (I-VT), Kaine (D-VA), Wyden (D-OR), and Murkowski (R-AK) are the original cosponsors of the legislation.
 
HCAOA supports this valuable legislation that would care for our nation’s veterans and their families in meaningful ways.