U.S. House Passes Perriello Bill Expanding Health Benefits for Veterans’ Caregivers

Washington, DC – April 21, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Tom Perriello’s Health Care for Family Caregivers Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives today with bipartisan support as part of S. 1963, the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act. The bill extends medical care for family and live-in caregivers to severely disabled veterans, and the omnibus legislation expands and improves veterans’ health care services for women veterans; improves health care for veterans living in rural areas; and provides better access to mental health care; and expands support for homeless veterans.

Today, Rep. Perriello joined the Wounded Warrior Project, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion in supporting passage of the legislation.

“This is a huge win for veterans and their families. This legislation provides us with the opportunity to salute our veterans by providing better care for veterans across the board.  It further reaches out to women, homeless and those with mental health issues who have bravely served for our country,” said Perriello. “I am pleased that my bill has been included in this landmark legislation. When family caregivers provide their assistance out of love and devotion, this can mean a full-time commitment, and we must recognize that caring for our veterans includes supporting those who care for them when they return home from the frontlines. As a nation, we have a sacred obligation to care for those who have served in the defense of freedom. We also have an equal obligation to their families who fully share in this heroic sacrifice.”

Along with providing stipend and lodging payments, health care, training and education, mental health services, respite care, and information on support services for caregivers of veterans, the bill also:

• improves rural veterans’ health care services by expanding transportation for veterans to local VA hospitals and clinics through VA grants to local Veterans Service Organizations;
• improves care for 1.8 million women who have served their country by establishing a child care pilot program, conducting a study of barriers to women veterans seeking health care, implementing a reintegration and readjustment pilot program, and improving care for veterans with sexual trauma;
• provides access to counseling and mental health centers  to any members of the Armed Forces;
• requires the VA to conduct a veterans’ suicide study;
• expands organizations offering transitional housing for homeless veterans;
• prohibits the VA from collecting copayments from veterans who are catastrophically disabled;
• creates a dental services pilot program;
• requires the VA to provide medical services for veterans;
• provides higher priority status for certain Medal of Honor recipients; and requires the VA to provide medical services, hospital care and nursing home care for certain Vietnam-era and Gulf War–era veterans with insufficient medical evidence to establish a service-connected disability.

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