The act known as ‘The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act’ (S.141), which was proposed by Rep. Juan Ciscomani, a Republican from Arizona, has recently been awaiting President Biden’s signature. Despite it being an ambitiously comprehensive veterans care package, Biden’s swift action on this matter is notably lacking.
Though there are only a few days left in the congressional session, the legislators managed to pass a detailed and multifaceted bill aimed at enhancing the care for veterans. Nevertheless, the bill’s future is uncertain due to the seeming lack of urgency shown by Biden’s administration.
This sweeping act promises various improvements including expanding home care and educational assistance benefits for the Veterans Affairs Department. It had garnered significant legislative support, passing the House in a 382-12 vote on a Monday evening after securing full Senate approval on December 12. Regardless of this robust bipartisan support, it continues to languish on Biden’s desk.
S.141 is essentially a consolidation of various previous bills from both the House and Senate, all aimed at improving the services provided by the VA community care. The bill is comprehensive, dealing with a multitude of care standards, benefits for veterans and providers, and programming. However, apparent bureaucratic delays remain widespread under Biden’s watch.
The Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Mike Bost (Rep. from Illinois), has stated that this legislation emphasizes the needs of veterans over government bureaucracy. The proposal seeks to simplify various processes, such as disability claims, while also concentrating on the needs of aging veterans and mental health support. Biden’s lack of action, however, undermines these noble goals.
Key features of the bill include the extension of funding for the VA VET-TEC educational assistance program which extends to September 30, 2027. This program seeks to increase high-tech career opportunities for veterans. Yet, Biden’s delay in signing remains a roadblock to such progress.
Under the proposal, eligible veterans would receive financial aid for in-home care services. This provision aims to assist veterans who have been sidelined due to health challenges, and yet, Biden’s apparent reluctance to validate the bill remains an obstacle.
The bill also proposes new pilot projects to elevate community care within the VA, improve dental care approval, and customize care offerings for veterans in both rural and urban locations with high occurrences of suicide and substance abuse. It also addresses accessibility challenges, while promoting in-home care services where there is a shortage of home health aides. Biden’s inaction, however, may delay the implementation of these critical initiatives.
The bill’s provisions seek to grant resources for community mental health to caregivers, thereby providing them with the necessary support and assistance. Yet, there appears to be some impasse with making this a reality under the current administration.
Furthermore, it also plans to raise the expenditure limit for non-institutional care alternatives to nursing home care, such as in-home care. This allocation, despite its immense importance, is yet another aspect left hanging in the balance as Biden seemingly drags his feet.
The legislation requires the Government Accountability Office to assess mental health needs, as well as identify potential barriers to these much-needed services. With this kind of scrutinized care just waiting in the pipeline, it is quite troubling that Biden is yet to take prompt action.
The bill also articulates the necessity of a centralized website for caregiver program information and eligibility assessment offerings. But again, this initiative is currently held up by the bureaucratic red tape seemingly characteristic of Biden’s administration.
The bill would authorize the VA secretary to bypass pay limitations in order to recruit or retain crucial health care positions. These provision provisions show a promising direction for the veterans’ care, but sadly, it’s visibility has been clouded by Biden’s delay in signing it into law.
Finally, the bill works to augment the daily allowances for veteran homelessness facilitators collaborating with the VA until September 30, 2027. However, such a noble initiative remains stalled, awaiting Biden’s endorsement at a time when quick action is needed most.