US Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Jon Tester (D-MT) – members on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) introduced the Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act (AKA Elizabeth Dole Act) on March 17th to expand community-based services for aging and homebound veterans. Highlights of the bill:
The Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act:
- Increases the expenditure cap for noninstitutional care alternative programs to nursing home care from 65 percent to 100 percent;
- Establishes partnerships to conduct alternative care programs within the community and require VA coordination with other VA programs;
- Expands access to home and community-based alternative care programs to veterans living in U.S. territories and native veterans enrolled in IHS or tribal health program;
- Requires the creation of a centralized website to disseminate information and resources related to home and community-based programs;
- Creates a pilot program for home health aide services for veterans that reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
- Requires VA to establish a warm handoff process for veterans and caregivers ineligible for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.