Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement following House passage of the Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act (H.R. 542), a comprehensive bill authored by Brownley that will be the single largest expansion of long-term care services at VA in decades. This legislation would significantly improve and expand home- and community-based services for disabled or aging veterans.
“Long term care is one of the biggest challenges facing our aging population and their families – and our veteran population is no exception. In fact, almost half of VA’s patient population is over 65. That is why I called on Speaker Johnson to bring my bill, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, before the House for a vote.
“This bill, which has overwhelming bipartisan, bicameral support, is a fitting honor for the service and sacrifice of the veterans advocating for this bill. It is the single largest expansion of long-term care services at VA in decades, and it would impact nearly every veteran living with catastrophic disabilities or living with the effects of aging.
“Disabled and aging veterans want to be cared for in their home, with their families, in their communities, and our veterans have more than earned the right to have the option of living their lives at home.
“Veterans and their families and their caregivers need this bill now. And while my commitment to the passage of this is unwavering, I am disappointed that House Republicans brought H.R. 542 to the House floor and chose to bring a version of the legislation that did not include minor revisions that have been negotiated with our Senate counterparts. These politics are delaying the enactment of this bill and delaying the care disabled and aging veterans and their caregivers need now.
“Senator Elizabeth Dole has done more for aging and disabled veterans and their caregivers in one lifetime than most of us could hope to do in several. I am committed to continuing to work with Senator Elizabeth Dole and my colleagues to get this bill to the President’s desk without further delay. Our veterans, their caregivers, and their families cannot wait any longer.
“Every veteran should have the right to a peaceful and dignified life after their service to our country, and every veteran should have the right to stay in their home and receive the care they need, the care they have earned, and the care they deserve.”
The Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on December 5, 2023, with a vote of 414-5. The full text of the bill can be found here. Congresswoman Brownley’s Floor remarks on the bill can be viewed here.
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Issues: 118th Congress, Veterans' Affairs