U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) this week introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the caregiver program offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“The Department of Veterans Affairs exists to serve those who served our country,” Sen. Blackburn said on Tuesday. “It is vitally important we give it the much-needed tools to be successful in that aim.”
Sen. Blackburn on July 23 introduced the Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for (TEAM) Veteran Caregivers Act, S. 2216, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) to formally recognize caregivers of veterans; notify veterans and caregivers of clinical determinations relating to eligibility for caregiver programs; and temporarily extend benefits for veterans who are determined ineligible for the family caregiver program, according to the congressional record summary.
Currently, U.S. military veterans are eligible for the VA program if they have sustained or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and need personal care services for supervision and protection to help them with daily living activities. Caregivers may include family members or others who regularly help veterans recovering from injuries.
The VA Office of the Inspector General reported in 2018 that the VA failed to adequately manage the caregiver program and recommended improvements and reforms.
If enacted, S. 2216 also would take several steps to give caregivers and veterans the chance to appeal any benefit downgrade or termination of benefits, according to a summary provided by Sen. Blackburn’s office.
For instance, the bill would extend benefits for at least 90 days after a termination letter is sent for cases where a veteran is deemed “no longer clinically eligible” for the program.
Additionally, the measure would ensure that all caregivers are recognized as part of the clinical team attending to veterans, among other provisions.
“Strong communication between our veterans’ caregivers and their providers should be complemented by thorough information in their medical records that reflects caregiver participation,” said Sen. Blackburn.
The proposed bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee for consideration.