Federal Advocacy Continues While Congress on Summer Recess

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!

Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act 
H.R. 542: 63 Co-Sponsors – 55 Democrats, 8 Republicans
This bill would raise the cap on how much the VA can pay for the cost of home care from 65% of the cost of nursing home care to 100%. For many catastrophically disabled veterans, the cost of care can quickly exceed this 65% limit. This bill would allow veterans to remain in their homes, where most want to be. Initially, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that this bill would cost about $25 billion, but HCAOA pushed back and asked for a new estimate citing that not all veterans would need this additional care. The new estimate is $174 million over 10 years, a significant reduction!

ACTION: Contact your representative. 

VA Timely Filing (H.R. 3520, S.1315)
S.1315: 6 Co-sponsors (5Rs, 1 Independent) 
H.R. 3520: 25 Co-sponsors (All Rs)

Currently, home care providers are required to bill the VA for services within 180 days. This legislation would extend timely filing from 180 days to one year. HCAOA supports this action but is asking lawmakers to amend the bills to include unpaid claims between June 1, 2019 and July 1, 2022, during the transition to the VA Community Care Network (VACCN). Providers were given different instructions on how to file claims, and the window of time to file a new claim expired. Until the statute is changed, the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot pay these bills.

HCAOA is asking that the following language be added to the bill: There is no filing deadline for claims resulting from services provided from June 1, 2019 to July 1, 2022.

Click the following links to find out if your U.S. Representative and Senator are co-sponsors. If they are NOT, click here to send a message asking them to sign on. Let’s do this for our veterans, who deserve to be cared for in their own homes.

Home Care for Seniors Act
H.R. 1795: 14 Co-sponsors - 10 Republicans, 4 Democrats

Allows tax-exempt distributions from health savings accounts (HSAs) to be used for qualified home care and incentivizes people to plan for long-term care needs, lessening the burden on government-funded programs.

Click here to find out if your U.S. Representative and Senator are co-sponsors.

If they are NOT, click here to send a message asking them to sign on. More cosponsors improve the chance of the message's success.

“These are HCAOA’s top priorities for the remaining days of this legislative session," explained HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak. “Our veterans need our help to ensure they receive the care they want and where they want. That’s in their own home.”