New CBO Score of Elizabeth Dole Act Announced: HCAOA Advocacy Worked!

Yesterday, HCAOA was notified that the new CBO score (cost estimate) of the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community-Based Services Act, S.141/H.R. 542, is $200 million over ten years, significantly lower than the initial CBO score of $24 billion.  Responding to the new score, HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak said that this is the result of great advocacy work by our members. “As soon as we saw the initial high estimate, we knew something was wrong, and urged the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee to ask for a rescore," Hoak said. "They agreed and while we waited for the new score, our members continued advocating for the Act, which now has 59 co-sponsors on H.R. 542 and 22 sponsors on S.141."

Another addition to H.R. 542, is text regarding what veterans would be eligible to exceed the 65% cap on home care:  Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a spinal cord injury or a condition the Secretary determines to be similar to such condition. This additional information will be shared during today’s House Veterans’ Affairs Committee meeting.  HCAOA will continue to advocate for the passage of the Elizabeth Dole Act and urges all member to send a message to their respective U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator asking them to sign on as cosponsors.