Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

12/17/2024, 1:05 PM

Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

This bill addresses various programs, benefits, and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including those related to health care, educational assistance, home loans, homelessness, and disability and memorial affairs.

Among other elements, the bill

  • modifies the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program, including by providing protections for care agreements between veterans and clinicians;
  • increases the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives to nursing home care;
  • provides certain support to family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
  • modifies the administration of certain educational assistance programs and benefits, including by removing the expiration on a surviving spouse’s entitlement under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship;
  • expands the Native American Direct Loan program by allowing Native American veterans to refinance other existing mortgage loans on the same property if certain conditions are met;
  • requires the VA to provide a burial and funeral allowance for certain veterans who die prior to October 1, 2026, in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care);
  • temporarily increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the VA to entities that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans;
  • authorizes a program to modernize the electronic health record and other relevant health information technology systems of the VA; and
  • addresses various oversight and reporting matters.
Bill 118 hr 8371, also known as the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, is a piece of legislation aimed at improving healthcare and benefits for veterans in the United States. The bill was introduced by Senator Elizabeth Dole and focuses on modernizing and enhancing the services provided to veterans.

One key aspect of the bill is the expansion of healthcare services for veterans, including mental health and telehealth services. The bill also aims to improve access to care for veterans in rural areas by increasing funding for telehealth programs and expanding the availability of VA clinics in these regions.

In addition to healthcare improvements, the bill also addresses benefits for veterans, including increasing disability compensation and survivor benefits. The bill also includes provisions to streamline the claims process for veterans seeking benefits, making it easier for them to access the support they need. Overall, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act seeks to modernize and enhance the services provided to veterans in the United States, ensuring that they receive the care and support they deserve for their service to the country.
Congress
118

Number
HR - 8371

Introduced on
2024-05-14

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

5/14/2024

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

This bill addresses various programs, benefits, and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including those related to health care, educational assistance, home loans, homelessness, and disability and memorial affairs.

Among other elements, the bill

  • modifies the administration of the Veterans Community Care Program, including by providing protections for care agreements between veterans and clinicians;
  • increases the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives to nursing home care;
  • provides certain support to family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
  • modifies the administration of certain educational assistance programs and benefits, including by removing the expiration on a surviving spouse’s entitlement under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship;
  • expands the Native American Direct Loan program by allowing Native American veterans to refinance other existing mortgage loans on the same property if certain conditions are met;
  • requires the VA to provide a burial and funeral allowance for certain veterans who die prior to October 1, 2026, in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care);
  • temporarily increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided by the VA to entities that furnish services and transitional housing to homeless veterans;
  • authorizes a program to modernize the electronic health record and other relevant health information technology systems of the VA; and
  • addresses various oversight and reporting matters.
Bill 118 hr 8371, also known as the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, is a piece of legislation aimed at improving healthcare and benefits for veterans in the United States. The bill was introduced by Senator Elizabeth Dole and focuses on modernizing and enhancing the services provided to veterans.

One key aspect of the bill is the expansion of healthcare services for veterans, including mental health and telehealth services. The bill also aims to improve access to care for veterans in rural areas by increasing funding for telehealth programs and expanding the availability of VA clinics in these regions.

In addition to healthcare improvements, the bill also addresses benefits for veterans, including increasing disability compensation and survivor benefits. The bill also includes provisions to streamline the claims process for veterans seeking benefits, making it easier for them to access the support they need. Overall, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act seeks to modernize and enhance the services provided to veterans in the United States, ensuring that they receive the care and support they deserve for their service to the country.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Aging
Area studies and international education
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Cemeteries and funerals
Civil actions and liability
Community life and organization
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Dental care
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Family services
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Higher education
Home and outpatient care
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Indian social and development programs
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Legal fees and court costs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Motor carriers
Nursing
Performance measurement
Science and engineering education
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Transportation costs
User charges and fees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Women's health

Comments

APPROVED
GS
Gloria Sparks
@artichoke_cardamom_oregano09109
I don't really understand this bill, but it seems like it could have some negative impacts. How will it affect me in the short term?

APPROVED
BH
Brodie Holt
@butternut_squash_banana_shiso72773
I don't care what they say about this bill, it's about time something was done for our veterans. They deserve better healthcare and benefits, and this bill is a step in the right direction. I may not agree with everything in it, but at least it's a s...

Related

Recent Activity

Latest Summary11/22/2024

Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

This bill addresses various programs, benefits, and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including those related t...


Latest Action11/19/2024
Received in the Senate.