Rep. Jen Kiggans
A legislative package that contains more than 60 bipartisan bills introduced on June 10 by U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and 20 of her Republican colleagues aims to upgrade, enhance, and reform the delivery of healthcare and benefits services at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for all veterans.
The package, known as the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, H.R. 9237, includes the bipartisan Representing Our Seniors at VA Act of 2026, H.R. 785, which Rep. Kiggans sponsored on Jan. 28 alongside lead cosponsor U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), as well as several other provisions supported by the congresswoman.
“As a Navy veteran and Navy wife, I understand the sacrifices our service members and their families make on a daily basis in defense of our country. We have an obligation to ensure that every veteran has timely access to the healthcare, benefits, and support services that they’ve earned through their service and sacrifice,” Rep. Kiggans said on Monday. “The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act delivers on that promise by cutting through red tape, modernizing the VA, and supporting the caregivers and survivors who devote countless hours to administering care.”
The larger bill, H.R. 9237, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) and 20 original cosponsors, including Rep. Kiggans, is designed to bolster the resources and support available to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors while expanding access to health care.
A few provisions included in the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act would strengthen support for aging veterans through Rep. Kiggans’ H.R. 785, which would add experts from State Veterans Homes and long-term care facilities to the VA Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee, according to the bill summary provided by her staff.
“I’m also a mom to a future veteran, and I want to ensure that the veterans of tomorrow are met with a VA system that delivers high-quality care and benefits when they enter the private sector,” added Rep. Kiggans.
Additionally, another provision would end the wounded veteran tax by permitting eligible combat-injured veterans to concurrently receive their full military retirement pay along with their VA disability compensation benefits, expand access to community care, and increase transparency regarding healthcare options.
Other provisions would increase benefits for catastrophically disabled veterans, survivors, and Gold Star Families while expanding VA home loan eligibility for certain U.S. National Guard and Reserve members, and broaden access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources by extending funding to the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and community-based mental health initiatives, the summary says.
“I’m proud to serve alongside my colleagues on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and this package reflects our commitment to putting America’s veterans first and delivering a care network that works for those it was intended to serve,” Rep. Kiggans said.
The larger bill is under consideration by both the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.