The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is dedicated to ensuring that America’s veterans get the care and services they deserve. As Ranking Member, my priority is providing veterans with the benefits they have earned with their service to our country.
Preventing Veteran Homelessness
We must honor our veterans’ service to our country and make sure that our servicemen and women are not forgotten when they return home. My hope is that we can end the cycle of homelessness by preventing it before it ever begins.
I am pleased that a bill I authored to tackle the issue of preventing veteran homelessness was signed into law last year. Section 604 of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-387) allows VA to make grants to provide supportive services that will keep low-income veterans, who are at risk of becoming homeless, in permanent housing. My bill will help those on the verge of becoming homeless by getting them help from the community.
I strongly believe that we must do all we can to ensure that the men and women who have served our nation in the military do not suffer the indignity of going to bed at night without a roof over their heads. By implementing preventative measures and providing targeted assistance, we can make a difference.
Amendment to Prevent Third Party Billing
The Senate recently adopted an amendment I submitted to the budget resolution that would make it more difficult for Congress to enact legislation authorizing VA to bill insurance for the health care it provides to veterans for service-related injuries or diseases. Earlier this year, President Obama considered a policy to charge veterans’ private insurance for service-related care in an attempt to address budgetary concerns. The policy was criticized by veterans’ service organizations and lawmakers alike for contradicting VA’s purpose and mission “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.”
By establishing a “budget point of order” against any such legislation, my amendment would require 60 votes for any legislation that would implement third party billing. Our nation's veterans have more than earned their care and it is our duty to uphold VA's promise to deliver that care.
CURRENT COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
Advanced Appropriations
With many servicemen and women returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and an aging veteran population, it is important that VA has a timely and sufficient budget to deliver quality medical care and benefits.
All too often, VA funding is held hostage in order to force members of Congress to approve funding for unrelated programs. This political gamesmanship is wrong, and I believe we must do something to stop this practice, which slows down funding for veterans health care.
That’s why I am an original cosponsor of the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (S. 423). This bill would fund the Veterans Health Administration in two-year cycles instead of the current yearly appropriation. Advanced appropriations will help VA get their health care funding on time and prevent any delays in veterans’ health care services. It is my hope that S. 423 will soon be passed by the full Senate and signed into law.
Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009
Family caregivers play an important and unique role in helping to meet veterans' personal care needs, both physically and emotionally. Family members who serve as primary caregivers often face significant challenges in caring for their loved ones. That is why I joined with Chairman Akaka to introduce the Family Caregiver Program Act of 2009. This legislation would strengthen support for caregivers and attendants of veterans and would help ensure veterans in need of institutional care have the choice of receiving care from a family member at home.
The bill would establish new assistance for caregivers who meet certain requirements. This includes training and certification required to meet the veteran’s needs, as well as access to ongoing support services through direct technical support, counseling and mental health services, respite care, medical care, and a monthly personal caregiver allowance. It is my hope that this legislation will alleviate the burdens family caregivers face in caring for veterans.
