Senators Moran, Sinema Introduce Legislation to Support Veterans' Family Caregivers
US Senators Jerry Moran of Kansas and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona – members of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee – have introduced the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment and Retirement Act to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to support former family caregivers of veterans as they transition back to work or into retirement once their time as a caregiver has concluded.
The legislation would require VA to continue to provide needed support - including employment assistance, retirement planning and bereavement counseling - to caregivers when their veteran loved one no longer needs caregiving services because they have sufficiently recovered, require a higher level of care than what a family caregiver can provide or passes away.
"Family caregivers provide an invaluable service to their veteran loved ones, and we can support them by helping them successfully transition back into the workforce or into retirement once their time as a caregiver comes to an end," said Senator Moran. "This legislation answers a need I have heard about from veterans, caregivers and VA staff in Kansas and will make certain that support for former family caregivers does not abruptly end when the veteran the caregiver is caring for passes away, regains independence or transitions to a higher level of care."
"Caring for a loved one is a full time job – one that often requires family members to put their entire lives on hold," said Senator Sinema. "Our bipartisan bill expands and extends critical services to ensure caregivers remain supported when their time as a caregiver ends."
The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment and Retirement Act would ensure family caregivers enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs remain enrolled for up to 180 days following their dismissal from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, unless they have been dismissed for fraud, abuse or mistreatment; require VA to reimburse family caregivers up to $1,000 for fees associated with maintaining the caregiver's professional licensure and allow family caregivers to access VA training modules for the purpose of gaining credit for continuing professional education requirements; require VA, in consultation with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to allow family caregivers access to certain employment assistance programs; require VA to provide retirement planning services and/or assistance returning to the workforce to family caregivers; require VA to provide bereavement counseling and support for former family caregivers when their veteran loved one passes away; study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a returnship program for family caregivers to assist them in reentering the workforce following their time as a caregiver; study barriers and incentives to hiring former family caregivers to work for VA; and study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a retirement plan for family caregivers.
"Every day the Elizabeth Dole Foundation hears from policymakers, partners, friends and neighbors asking how they can do more to support military and veteran caregivers—the Hidden Heroes—who love and care for those who served our nation with pride," said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. "For decades now, caregivers have been critical to the mission of America's armed forces, working to improve the lives of millions of servicemen and women, but their contributions are often overlooked. This bill recognizes the essential role caregivers provide in communities across America and represents an important investment in their wellbeing. Provisions in this bill will help deliver employment, financial and retirement resources to thousands of caregivers who deserve to know their nation stands beside them as they look to the future. We thank Senators Moran and Sinema for their unwavering commitment to these Hidden Heroes."
(Information courtesy Senator Moran's Office.)