Elizabeth Dole Foundation Statement regarding House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passage of VA Mission Act

Washington, D.C.– May 8, 2018 – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation applauds the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on today’s passage of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (H.R. 5674). The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.

The bipartisan and bicameral agreement, introduced by Committee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN), reauthorizes the Veterans Choice program for one year; strengthens the VA’s ability to recruit, hire, and retain quality medical personnel; and reviews, realigns, and modernizes the VA’s healthcare infrastructure.

Significantly, the legislation also expands the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which offers critical financial and educational support, to caregivers caring for veterans of all eras. Currently, only post-9/11 veterans are eligible for the PCAFC.

“The VA MISSION Act of 2018 is absolutely critical to equalizing support for veteran caregivers across the VA system. It is unjust that pre-9/11 caregivers, who make up 80% of our nation’s 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers, are barred from accessing the PCAFC because of their veterans’ era of service,” said Senator Elizabeth Dole, Founder of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “The Foundation has a long history of advocating for the expansion of caregiver benefits to all eras, and I commend the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the leadership of Chairman Phil Roe, on the passage of the bill through Committee. I now urge all Members of Congress to support this important legislation.”

The Foundation, along with 37 other MSOs, VSOs, and stakeholder organizations, signed on to a letter of support for H.R. 5674, sent to Congressional leadership in advance of today’s hearing. As the bill moves through Congress, we will continue our advocacy efforts to ensure this legislation becomes law.

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