FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2010   
MEDIA CONTACT:
STEVEN ENGELHARDT (314) 504-4029

Clay: "Landmark Veterans Legislation Provides Help for Wounded Veterans and Their Caregivers," Act Will Support Families, Expand Mental Health Services, Help Women Veterans Receive Equal Access to Care

WASHINGTON — Congressman Wm. Lacy (D) Missouri praised passage of the Caregivers and Veterans Health Services Act, which was approved in the U.S. House today by a vote of 239-171.  “This bill makes good on our promise to leave no veteran behind.  It will improve veterans’ health services by supporting wounded veterans, their families and their caregivers," said the Congressman.  “In honor of their sacrifice, this bill will provide well-earned benefits that our nation’s veterans deserve.” 

The bill will ensure that the VA can better treat veterans suffering from mental health issues, and provides extra resources to combat the tragically high suicide rate. It also includes funding to address the large number of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

“I am very proud to support this legislation which enjoys the unanimous support of all veterans organizations in my district, including: the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Wounded Warriors Project and the National Military Family Association,” said the Congressman.

Major Highlights of the Legislation

Caregiver Assistance

Caregivers of OEF/OIF Veterans
· Caregivers are defined as family members (parent, spouse, child, step-family member, extended family member) or non-family members who live with the veteran.  
· The caregiver and eligible OEF/OIF veteran must submit a joint application and once accepted, the caregiver receives the following support services:
· Training and education;
· Counseling and mental health services;
· Respite care of no less than 30 days annually, including 24 hour in-home respite care;
· Lodging and subsistence payments when accompanying the veteran on medical care visits;
· Health care through the CHAMPVA program (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs); and
· Monthly financial stipend as determined appropriate by the Secretary based on the amount and degree of personal care services provided, and no less than the monthly amount of a commercial home health care entity.

Caregivers of Veterans of Any Era
· Caregivers are defined in the same manner as that of the support program for caregiver of OEF/OIF veterans.  However, there is no residency requirement for non-family members. 
· Support services for caregivers of veterans of any era include the following:
· Training and education;
· Counseling and mental health services;
· Respite care including 24 hours in-home respite care;
· Information on the support services available to caregivers through other public, private, and non-profit agencies.

WOMEN VETERANS HEALTH CARE
The bill will expand and improve VA health care services for the 1.8 million women who have bravely served their country.  It requires the VA to:
Conduct a study of barriers to women veterans seeking health care,
Educate and train mental health professionals caring for veterans with sexual trauma;
Implement a reintegration and readjustment pilot program;
Establish a child care pilot program for women receiving regular and intensive mental health care and intensive health care services, or who are in need of such services but do not seek care due to the lack of child care services; Provide up to seven days of post-delivery health care to a new born child of a women veteran. 

MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Provides access to counseling and other mental health centers to any member of the Armed Forces (including members of the National Guard and Reserves, who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom but who are no longer on active duty) and
Requires the VA to conduct a veterans’ suicide study.

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