The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Legislative News
June 9, 2009
For all BVA members and key contacts, the Chairman of the House VA Committee sent out the following two press releases and BVA has been following the efforts on the caregiver legislation as well as, the issue of employment rights for disabled veterans. (Legislative 106 and Legislative 107)
Wednesday the House VA Committee will be holding a full committee hearing on voting for several veterans bills, one being the issue of Advanced Appropriations that we have discussed in the BVA Bulletin in previous issues and the new issue out this week
You can listen to the hearing tomorrow by going to the House VA web site tomorrow morning and clicking on the ling to web cast.
More Support for Caregivers of Veterans Needed
Chairman Michaud provided the following statement to begin the hearing: “Clearly, the family caregivers of our veterans have made great sacrifices. I have heard from family members who gave up their jobs, delayed their schooling, or made other significant life-changing sacrifices in order to be by their loved one’s side. This raises questions about the VA’s current efforts to help these family caregivers and whether there are sufficient supportive services in place. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of coordination of caregiver benefits when the service member transitions to veteran status. In other words, supportive services that family caregivers may have depended on during military service are suddenly discontinued when the wounded warrior transitions to the VA system.”
VA does not collect data on caregivers of veterans. As such, the number of family members who provide care for veterans is unknown. However, a July 2007 report released by the Dole-Shalala Commission found that of the 1,730 injured OEF/OIF veterans surveyed, about 21 percent of active duty, 15 percent of the reserve, and 24 percent of retired/ separated service members had friends or family who gave up a job to be the caregiver.
Witnesses identified unmet needs for families of the severely injured and offered recommendations to address these shortfalls. Currently VA does not replace family caregiver loss of income or medical insurance coverage, does not assist in preparing home and family for veteran’s arrival, or offer suitable long-term care options for younger veterans. Caregivers recommended providing in-person support or a reference book to provide guidance at time of injury. Also cited was a need for emotional and mental health support for the caregiver, education regarding treatment options, and a standardized, certified training program so they have the skills to perform their job well.
Legislation to address the needs of caregivers has been introduced in the House of Representatives. Congressman John Salazar (D-CO) introduced H.R. 667, a bill to direct the VA to establish a training and certification program for family caregivers of veterans and service members suffering from traumatic brain injury. Chairman Michaud introduced H.R. 2342, “Wounded Warrior Project Family Caregiver Act of 2009.” This bill would establish a family caregiver program for veterans seriously injured while on active duty, or on training for Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Specifically, the family caregiver program provides instruction, counseling, and training to the caregiver or another individual designated by the veteran, as well as reimburse the caregiver for travel, lodging and per diem expenses for accompanying the veteran for medical appointments.
“As with many programs in the
VA, caregiver support is not consistently available to all veterans across the
Tom Zampieri
Director Government Relations
Blinded Veterans Association
BVA's Legislative Alerts Group
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