Legislative Priorities

To ensure military and veteran caregivers have timely access to earned benefits, and receive the attention and recognition for their service to our country, congress and VA must:

• Expand access to the suite of caregiving resources within the VA by passing the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act. This bill will also expand popular home-based services to all 50 states and territories, streamline VA resources for caregivers, and ensure that all caregivers receive wraparound services and options when they are seeking support.
• Continue oversight of VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) through legislation and regulations.
• Provide tax incentives for caregiving bypassing the Credit for Caring Act. This bill allows an eligible caregiver a tax credit of up to $5,000 for 30% of the cost of long-term care expenses that exceed $2,000 in a taxable year.
• Continue funding ambitious research and quality improvement efforts on caregiving to remain on the cutting edge of development and innovation.
• Reward caregivers by including them in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program and passing the Military and Veteran Caregiver Student Loan Relief Act. This bill would include caregivers in PSLF and assist eligible participants with their student loans.
• Educate employers on the unique needs and skills of caregivers to prevent discrimination in hiring.
• Reduce food insecurity within the military and veteran population.
• Support caregivers in the workplace by mandating a comprehensive Paid Family Leave policy that includes military and veteran caregiving families.
• Ensure that VA and DoD facilities are welcoming toward women, caregivers, and other family members by implementing a system-wide inclusive care approach that recognizes, acknowledges, and empowers all members of the clinical care team.

To ensure veterans have timely access to earned benefits, receive timely access to high quality health care, and are supported to succeed after leaving military service, Congress and VA must:

• Allow veterans to receive disability and retirement pay concurrently by passing the Major Richard Star Act.
• Promote equity between visible and invisible injuries sustained during or after service.
• Reduce the number of service members, veterans, and caregivers who die by suicide to zero through a holistic approach.
• Complete and implement a single electronic health record (EHR) to ensure there is consistency between medical centers and accessibility to service member and veteran information, especially concerning caregiver needs and mental health diagnoses.
• Ensure that veterans and their family members are well-informed on PACT benefits and are provided with a timely, equitable, and seamless process when filing their claims.

To ensure children of military and veteran caregivers, or those who are serving in caregiver roles themselves are recognized and given the support they deserve, Congress and VA must:

• Ensure that military and veteran children are not erroneously dismissed from the opportunity to serve by the Department of Defense for previous mental health treatment when enlisting in the armed forces.
• Mandate all VA facilities have resources for children of caregivers by passing the Helping Heroes Act.

To ensure surviving family members of fallen service members and veterans are supported through their transition and have timely access to robust resources and benefits, Congress and VA must:

• Increase education and access to new survivor benefits as afforded by the PACT Act.
• Ensure military and veteran caregiver survivors have access to resources and assistance after a loss.
• Support all family members who are transitioning from a caregiver to a survivor and highlight resources that are assisting these families during this challenging and unique period.
• Pass the Love Lives On Act, which ensures that surviving spouses retain their benefits if they remarry before age 55.