HCAOA Supporting Elizabeth Dole Act to Expand HCBS for Veterans and Caregivers

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Jon Tester (D-MT), all members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, recently introduced the bipartisan Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act to expand community-based services for aging and homebound veterans. The Act heavily invests in caregiver support at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and expands VA Home-Based Community Services nationwide. This legislation provides greater access to resources and helps to determine which services provide optimal support for the caregiver and their family as they navigate a complex web of available assistance.
 
HCAOA recently hosted a call with senior staff of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to offer input on the bill and assistance with moving the legislation forward.
 
More specifically, the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act:

• Increases the expenditure cap for noninstitutional care alternative programs to nursing home care from 65 percent to 100 percent;
• Establishes partnerships to conduct alternative care programs within the community and require VA coordination with other VA programs;
• Expands access to home and community-based alternative care programs to veterans living in U.S. territories and native veterans enrolled in IHS or tribal health program;
• Requires the creation of a centralized website to disseminate information and resources related to home and community-based programs;
• Creates a pilot program for home health aide services for veterans that reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
• Requires VA to establish a warm handoff process for veterans and caregivers ineligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

 
U.S. Representatives Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 
HCAOA will continue to work with legislators and their staff in forming and implementing the legislation’s laudable goals.