LANDMARK VETERAN CAREGIVER BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
Written by admin, May 6, 2010, 1 Comment
Courtesy Ashley Patterson,
Supports Veteran Caregivers, Returning Troops and Families
Washington, DC – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today announced that a landmark veteran caregiver bill passed by Congress two weeks ago is now law. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act provides unprecedented new benefits to veteran caregivers including training, counseling, health care and financial assistance. President Obama signed the bill into law late Wednesday.
“This landmark legislation stands by our troops and supports those caregivers who continue to stand with them,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Everyday, millions of military families support men and women in uniform, making sacrifices for the sake of our country. These caregiver benefits are vitally needed and well-deserved.”
The act provides support services to family and other caregivers of all veterans, including stipends for caregivers living with severely wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan . The act will also create two distinct caregiver programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs, one for all caregivers and one specifically designed for those supporting Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.
Caregivers are defined as family members of veterans or non-family members who live with a veteran. Training, education, counseling, mental health services, lodging, financial assistance and subsistence payments for accompanying veterans on medical care visits will be provided to qualifying caregivers as a result of this legislation.
In addition, caregivers will be provided health care services through the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“This bill addresses the unique needs of today’s veterans and their families,” said Congressman Cuellar. “With this legislation, we uphold a promise to our troops and their support systems at home. This commonsense legislation helps our brave men and women as they return home from overseas and this will continue to support those millions of veterans who have already served our great nation.”
To address the unique needs of the growing number of returning women soldiers, the act also improves health care services for the nation’s 1.8 million female veterans and for the first time provides up to seven days of post-delivery health care to a newborn of a female veteran.
The veterans’ legislation also improves access to care for veterans in rural areas by improving VA transportation services to veterans living in remote regions. Servicemen and women will also have access to counseling and other mental health centers, including members of the National Guard and Reserves who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, but are no longer on active duty.
A broad coalition of veterans groups 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 support the landmark legislation.
For more information, please visit the House Committee on Veterans Affairs: http://veterans.house.gov/news/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=583
I’m not understanding why because my Husband was in Thialand had a tbj however the years have taken a tow on his brain and now everything is up to me in every area of his life. Because he was injury in 1969 the law doen’t cover me as his care taker ??? Please explain what I’m surpose to do after he dies because I had no way to prepare for my life because I have and I’m giveing it all to him ??