The 118th Congress enacted the fewest laws by far since 1980. But just before the holidays and the adjournment before the new Congress was seated, lawmakers rallied to pass the most significant veterans bill of the session–one that, for nearly two years, DAV had fought for. This is a law for caregivers and all veterans.
Signed by then-President Joe Biden in January, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118–210) is comprehensive and transformative legislation that will improve the lives of veterans and their caregivers on several fronts.
Among its many impactful provisions, the Dole Act aims to streamline the disability claims process, expand access to job training and employment opportunities, address veteran homelessness, strengthen mental health services, and ease burdens for aging and disabled veterans to receive at-home care and much more.
The Dole Act will make significant improvements to current caregiver support programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs and expand access to home- and community-based services at every VA medical center. This will give tens of thousands more veterans the option to receive medical care at home rather than in a facility.
The legislation will also create a mental health care grant program to support family caregivers and increase the cap from 65% to 100% of the cost of nursing home care for veterans seeking noninstitutional care alternatives, potentially providing thousands of dollars more a month in support to eligible veterans and their families.
“This legislation includes support from several DAV resolutions and will have a profound impact on the health and economic well-being of veterans, their families and caregivers,” said DAV National Legislative Director Joy Ilem. “It will expand and improve programs and services vital to veterans and helps us deliver on the promises made to those who served.”
The new law also includes several provisions related to improving access to and quality of community care, including one that requires the VA to reach out to veterans about their community care options.
The measure allows surviving spouses to maintain eligibility to use certain education benefits upon remarriage, includes provisions to boost supportive housing grants and mandates that the VA take a closer look at dental care options for veterans. Additionally, the bill requires the VA to establish a two-year dental care pilot program for enrolled veterans with ischemic heart disease.
“This is another tremendous victory for veterans, and DAV is proud to have a leading role in advocating for legislation that will be life-changing for so many veterans and their families,” said DAV National Commander Daniel Contreras. “This expansive package is an excellent example of how elected leaders can collaborate to transform lives for the better.”
Learn more online
For more updates on other major veterans legislation, join DAV CAN (Commander’s Action Network) at davcan.org.
The post The Dole Act signed into law appeared first on DAV.
