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.
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Rachel Monger
Rachel Monger, JD, LACHA is President/CEO. Rachel joined LeadingAge Kansas in 2011 as the Director of Government Affairs and has been a powerful voice for our membership ever since. Rachel is a Kansas licensed attorney and adult care home administrator. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, MA, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. Over the years, Rachel has served in many volunteer roles in her community and in the state of Kansas to support senior needs, aging services education, and community mental health services. She is also a member of the Board of Governors for the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund. As an award-winning trial lawyer, turned award-winning senior care advocate, she has spent nearly two decades passionately supporting quality of care and quality of life for Kansas seniors. When not at work, Rachel loves reading, crafting, volunteering with her church, and spending time with her partner Steven. You can reach Rachel directly at 785.670.8046.

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