Senate Passes Veterans LTC Bill

On December 13, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an amended version of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. LeadingAge has been working with its coalition partners to advance the bill, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 18 by an overwhelming bipartisan majority.

In addition to comprehensive updates that focus on mental and behavioral health supports, education and training programs, benefit reforms and improved oversight, the bill contains important long-term care provisions that, among other things, would establish a pilot program through the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer assisted living options for aging and disabled veterans. The bill also includes the addition of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) as an option in areas with established programs.

The expansion of aging services options is critical to all of us as we age, including our nation's veterans. Senate passage of this bill will bring us closer to that goal, allowing LeadingAge members to better serve veterans in communities across the country.

The amended bill now heads back to the House of Representatives for final passage, after which it will be sent to the President's desk for his signature.