Wide-reaching legislation to meaningfully improve health care, benefits, and services for United States military veterans, service members, caregivers, military families, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff has been unveiled by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), chairmen of the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation, so it can be signed into law and we can provide veterans the benefits and care they deserve,” Sen. Moran said, noting that the bill “provides comprehensive reforms to improve health care and benefits for thousands of veterans, their families and survivors.”
Introduced in both chambers on June 10, the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, S. 4744/H.R. 9237, includes bipartisan, bicameral legislation such as the Major Richard Star Act, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, the Love Lives On Act, and the Sharri Briley And Eric Edmunson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act.
The Major Richard Star Act, according to Sen. Moran, initially was introduced in 2020.
“And despite now having 79 cosponsors, Congress has failed to pass this legislation in both Democrat and Republican majorities,” he said. “After weeks of conversations with my colleagues, veteran service organizations, and stakeholders, we now have a path forward to pass this legislation along with numerous other reforms for veterans and their families.”
Rep. Bost agrees, pointing out that over the past few months, the lawmakers have heard from thousands of veterans who want to see Congress pass the Major Richard Star Act to grant thousands of disabled veterans the benefits they are eligible for.
“I am proud to announce, alongside my friend, Chairman Moran, that we have found a path forward for this bill to get it across the finish line, in addition to over 60 bipartisan bills to protect healthcare access, cut out the red tape in the VA disability benefits system, advance economic opportunities, and put veterans — not government bureaucracy — back at the center of VA’s mission — for good,” said Rep. Bost.
Also included in the package are dozens of other widely supported priorities from the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act would be paid for using elements of pending updates to the VA’s Schedule of Rating Disabilities for future beneficiaries seeking service-connection for sleep apnea or tinnitus.
The changes would align future ratings with current medical advances and best practices, and were first proposed by the Biden administration in 2022. They would go into effect by Oct. 1, according to a bill summary offered by the lawmakers.
In total, the updates are expected to reduce future spending by $38 billion over 10 years. By including them in the main bill, Congress could redirect half of that future spending reduction back into benefits while maintaining fiscal responsibility for American taxpayers, the summary says.
“My message to the millions of men and women who have served, their families, and their survivors is simple: you have our commitment that this Republican majority will continue to lead from the front and deliver results on the issues that matter to you and your families,” said Rep. Bost. “Let’s get it done.”
The congressman’s bill has garnered 20 GOP original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Greg Murphy (R-NC), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), French Hill (R-AR), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Mike Kelly (R-PA).