AMVETS APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF LANDMARK VETERANS’ CAREGIVER BILL

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2010—AMVETS leaders were on hand this afternoon at the U.S. Capitol, alongside Congressional leaders to applaud today’s passage of the landmark veterans’ family caregiver bill by a vote of 419-0.

AMVETS has called for the passage of the new benefit for more than a year, which offers compensation for family members to serve as the primary caregiver through VA for severely-wounded veterans and expands significant benefits for female veterans and rural/remote-located veterans.

“This is an important bill that offers significant innovation in how VA cares for our wounded veterans and our underserved veteran populations,” said AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin. “A wounded veterans’ family is best equipped to care for their loved one. This expansion of benefits finally makes it a financially-viable option for both veterans’ families and the VA.”

The bill, which will now go back to the Senate for a final vote and on to President Barack Obama for signing, is a compromise between the House and Senate which offers family caregiver benefits to Post-9/11-era veterans. AMVETS asked Congress to approve benefits for all generations of veterans, but AMVETS leaders see the compromise as a critical first step in serving all generations of veterans.

“AMVETS will continue to push for expanding this benefit, but we feel it was critical to establish the family caregiver program to set precedent for delivering this benefit,” said AMVETS National Legislative Director Ray Kelley. “AMVETS is confident that once VA recognizes the savings and efficiency of the family caregiver plan, they will be more than eager to expand it.”

Though the family caregiver plan was the primary purpose of the bill, it also included key provisions to address women veterans’ and rural/remote veterans’ health care issues, addressing two of AMVETS’ top legislative priorities for 2010.

Two significant benefits for female veterans in the caregiver bill include a pilot program for VA to deliver child care for inpatient female veterans and a program that would offer seven days of post-delivery health care for newborn children of women receiving care through VA.

“Post-delivery care is a significant milestone for providing complete, comprehensive care for our female veterans,” said Miskulin. “VA has met all the health needs of male veterans for generations, and this step helps all female veterans achieve parity in available gender-specific VA care.”

Two important improvements for rural veterans include expansion of VA contracting with community mental health centers in rural and remote areas and establishment of federal grants for veterans groups, like AMVETS, who offer transportation assistance to rural and remote veterans.

The bill had stalled in the Senate for months over disputed ratings by the Congressional Budget Office, which cited cost concerns to introducing the program. AMVETS disputed the old CBO rating which did not factor in overall savings for VA. CBO’s latest assessment of the bill scored it as budget-neutral.

About AMVETS:
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.