Open Letter to the United States House of Representatives

Subject: Urgent Call for Immediate Passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 8371)‍

Dear Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, and Minority Leader Jeffries,

We are the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellows, a diverse group of individuals who dedicate our lives to caring for America's wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans. We are not politicians; we are spouses, children, parents, and loved ones providing around-the-clock care to those who have sacrificed so much for our country. Today, we write to you with an urgent plea to pass the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. A Lifeline for Veterans and Their Families This legislation is not just another bill; it is a comprehensive package that addresses critical gaps in the care and support systems for veterans and their families. It promises to bring immediate and lasting improvements to our lives.

Here’s how:

1. Enhanced Community Care Access:

• Veterans will gain timely and local access to healthcare providers, reducing the need for long-distance travel. This change is crucial for those with mobility issues or chronic conditions and will alleviate the stress and physical burden on our veterans.

2. Support for Home and Community-Based Services:

• Increasing expenditure caps for noninstitutional care and improving coordination with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) will promote more options for long-term care, ensuring veterans can receive the care they need in their own homes.

3. Authority to Award Grants for Mental Health Support to Family Caregivers:

• Providing grants for mental health support will help caregivers cope with the emotional and psychological stress of caregiving, maintaining our mental health and the quality of care we provide.

4. Recognition and Assistance Programs:

• Recognizing organizations and individuals assisting veterans, family members, and caregivers in navigating programs and services will ensure better access to available resources.

5. Veteran Directed Care:

• Mandates the expansion of the Veteran Directed Care program to all VA medical centers, ensuring comprehensive staffing and accessibility. This program grants veterans autonomy to manage their care, giving them the ability to customize services to meet their specific needs and significantly improving the overall quality of life for themselves and their caregivers.

Call to Honor Our Commitment

‍We, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellows, embody the resilience, dedication, and love that underpin the care of our nation’s heroes. We are the true experts, living these challenges every day. Our veterans rely on us, and in turn, we rely on your leadership and decisive action.Passing this act is not merely a legislative victory—it is a profound affirmation of our nation's commitment to those who have sacrificed so much. It is a testament to our collective resolve to honor their service with the care and support they deserve.Please, let us unite in this noble cause. Prioritize the immediate passage of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. Our veterans, their caregivers, and their families are counting on you.Thank you for your compassion, your dedication, and your swift action.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellows

‍Betsy Eves, Virginia
‍Joseph E Narvaez Jr., Florida
‍Cynthia L Collins-Clark, Oklahoma
‍Kimberly Perez, Texas
Cori Lee Marrero, Texas
‍Michele Hopkins, Georgia
Debra H. Schulz, Texas
‍Ida Jean Carson, Ohio
‍Marjorie Pennington, Maine
‍Matthew N. Wilson, New York
‍Victoria Serene Chall, North Carolina
‍Tracy Brown, California
‍Cairistiona Benson, Florida
‍Elizabeth Anne Hunt, Washington
‍James White, North Carolina
‍Sharon Colleen Grassi, Arizona
‍Karee White, North Carolina
Aimmie Cathrine Jenkins, Indiana
Sherri Piper, Mississippi
‍Megan Powell, Tennessee
Glenda A. Leary, Indiana
‍Karla A. Seijas, California
‍Nancy White, North Carolina
‍Sandy Wai Kuen Cullins, Ph.D., California
‍Amy Maria Stephens, California
‍Mary Ann Ward, North Carolina
‍Margaret W. Bristol, Ed.D., New York
‍Theresa R Coomer, Illinois
‍Heidi Elizabeth Woodring, Pennsylvania
‍Jill J. Schuman, New Hampshire
‍Jeannette Davidson-Mayer, North Carolina
‍Xania D. Nacino, California
‍Dr. Jennifer Lynne Carson, DSW, California
‍Angelena Renee Taylor, Michigan
‍Silvia Carrilllo Lopez, Delaware
‍Amanda Arwood, Tennessee
‍Amanda Smith Flener, Georgia
‍Reva Tennille Collins, Florida
‍Alana Centilli, Alabama
‍Belinda Edwards, Maryland
‍Lara Garey, Texas
‍Rachel Elizabeth Clark, Virginia
‍Valence L. Scott, Virginia
‍Laura Nichole Stephens, California
‍Vanessa Blair Chism, Maryland
Ketty Wilson Gonzalez, New York
Benjamin Martinez, Florida
‍Lyra Helms, New Mexico
‍Susan Dianne Graham, Arizona
‍Tara Ann Plybon, Texas
Todd Layton Plybon, Texas
‍Sarah Ann Martinez, Montana
‍Nelida lozoya Lewis, Texas
Mona Renee Ayres, Texas
Melissa Comeau, California
‍Edna P. Dumas, Virginia
‍Helen M. Yourchuck, Wisconsin
Justine T. leVasseur, Connecticut
Kayla Armour, Florida
‍BettyJo O’Brien, Massachusetts
‍Wendy Gavell, Maryland
‍Alicia MaddaloniAlaska
‍Michelle Dyan Bassett, Nevada
‍Kirsten Laha-Walsh, Florida
‍Stacey Hawley, Florida
‍Lynnette Canedy, Kentucky
‍Nodirakhon Murodkhujaeva Hughes, Virginia
‍Patricia A. Ochan, Virginia
‍Lillian W. Hunter, South Carolina
‍Emily Ann Mather, Florida
‍Melissa Jackson, Vermont
‍Krista Petterson, Montana
‍Shirley M. Stanton, New York
‍Andre Charles Morrow, California
Margaret Leimomi MorrowCalifornia
Margaret Leimomi Morrow, CaliforniaJustina Lyn CrawfordMissouri
‍Emery A. PopoloskiMassachusetts
Ashley SchintzWest Virginia
‍Danny O’NeelCalifornia
‍Julie L. GuleffTexas
‍Stephanie Bridget HallMichigan
‍Precious Revondolyn GoodsonGeorgia
‍Elisa GlassNew Hampshire
‍Brian Reed VinesTexas
Debra Marie SpragueCalifornia
‍Jo Ann BachandFlorida
‍Colleen Ryan RoseVirginia
‍Jacqui BeekColorado
‍Vivian MitchellColorado
Sara LeaseNebraska
‍T. Ilihia GionsonHawaii
Lieselotte H PatteeMaryland
‍Robert David EvansTexas
‍Ashley LeeFlorida
‍Karee Van Wert WhiteNorth Carolina
Ariana Del NegroMontana
‍Megan ZimmermanMinnesota
‍Amber OldfieldSouth Dakota
‍Adrienne HazardRhode Island
Shannon TuimalealiifanoFlorida
‍Jennifer Nicole OstanSouth Carolina
‍Michael BowlesTexas
Jennifer BowlesTexas
‍Jennifer ReedArkansas
‍Connie OzmerWashington
‍Krystle HamlettCalifornia
‍Marjory HarrisMississippi
‍Brandy Marie WrennNorth Carolina
‍Paula J BellerIndiana
‍Kristin Lynn ChristensenWashington
‍Candace LagunaMaryland
‍Elizabeth RotenberryMaryland
‍Trizer Akinyi SmithMinnesota
‍Beth Diann DurbinAlaska
‍Barbara WebbMissouri
Jeanette McKinneyIdaho
‍Melissa SwireNorth Carolina
‍Jennifer BriestSouth Dakota
‍Amanda Jo NuckolesTennessee
‍Hannah NieskensMontana
‍Andrea Robin Keller DorseyNebraska
Ora FreemanMaine
‍Deborah ElliottVirginia
‍Shawn Del MooreMissouri
Sandra OwmbeyFlorida
‍Misty ToothmanPennsylvania
Amber Bethany Lee LinderNevada
‍Anne R. WayGeorgia
Ivonne Francesca ThompsonTexas
‍Daphne G. GradyLouisiana
‍Anne AdkinsonArizona
‍Patti Renee KatterFlorida
‍Jeanette EzellOhio
‍Donny Glenn Peters IIUnited States Virgin Islands
‍Rosalinda Alfaro BabinTexas

CC: Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees