H.R.8371 – Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare & Benefits Improvement Act5/22/2024
 On May 15, Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), with the support of U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL) and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Chairman and Ranking Member Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), introduced The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R.8371), an omnibus package that includes key provisions taken from the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act.
 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will soon expand medical coverage for Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) beneficiaries, including family members and primary family caregivers of Veterans, to include audio-only telehealth, extended mental health care, and contraceptive services.
 During Advocacy Day in Washington last week, the HCAOA VA Services Advisory Council met with the leadership of the VA Community Care Network at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs headquarters. The VA appreciated the time to learn about what providers are experiencing in the field.
Thank you to the more than 100 HCAOA members who traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to advocate for home care during the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Advocacy Day! Over 100 meetings were held with members of Congress, personal connections were made, and existing ones strengthened allowing doors to be opened on important issues impacting home care.
 National Home Care Advocacy Day is next week, and plans are being finalized to make each HCAOA member’s visit memorable. Meetings with legislators are scheduled, and plans are set for the Welcome Reception on April 16 at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, HCAOA’s federal lobby firm. On April 17, a Breakfast Brief will be held in the Rayburn House Office Building Room 2325, followed by meetings with your members of Congress.
 HCAOA members…if you haven’t already done so, send a message to your Senators that you support an amendment to the Veterans’ Health Empowerment, Access, Leadership, and Transparency for our Heroes (HEALTH) Act (S.1315).
 HCAOA urges all members to take action now by sending a message to your Senator regarding the Veterans’ Health Empowerment, Access, Leadership, and Transparency for our Heroes (HEALTH) Act (S.1315). Sponsored by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-1), this vital legislation aims to protect and expand veterans' access to care while safeguarding them to choose their own providers and require the VA to improve the quality of care veterans receive.
 Last week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released the preliminary 2024 Fee Schedule for the Community Care Network, effective February 1, 2024. The current fee schedule, which includes reimbursement rates for home care services, will remain in effect until then.
 HCAOA is proud to announce that the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives!
 Veterans Day is this Saturday, November 11, and the HCAOA stands with deep respect and gratitude to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation in the United States Armed Forces.
 If you are a provider under the VA Community Care Network, you see first-hand how important home care is to our veterans and their families. That’s why HCAOA needs your help. Today, if a veteran’s home care costs reach 65% of the cost the Veterans’ Administration would pay for providing care in a nursing home, funding stops, and the veteran and their family would have to pay for the care.
HCAOA and members are continuing advocacy work continues on our top legislative priorities while Congress is on summer recess. HCAOA asks members for help on our three top issues: contact your U.S. Representative and Senator and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor of these bills. It’s easy – we’ve pre-written the message for you!
 The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs voted last Wednesday to report out H.R. 542, The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, to the full House of Representatives. HCAOA members strongly advocated for a more accurate CBO score – from the original score of $24 billion to the more realistic of $200 million over 10 years – and for allowing veterans to exceed the 65% cap on home care. While this is a step forward, our work continues. Join our effort to get more sponsors on this bill. Contact your U.S. Representative and urge them to speak up for our veterans and sign on as a sponsor for H.R. 542.
The HCAOA needs your thoughts on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs exploration of the use of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for those providing homemaker/home health services. HCAOA will be submitting feedback on behalf of members.
A section of the Veteran Care Improvement Act (S.1315/H.R. 3520) would extend the timely filing for payment from 180 days to one year, a welcome change for many HCAOA members providing care to veterans. However, unless amended, it would not address the back payments owed to home care providers during the transition from the CHOICE program to the Community Care Network.
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[email protected] | sitemap
© 2026 Home Care Association of America. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy