With Honor Action applauds the U.S. House for the passage of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This legislation, which passed with a 389-9 vote, includes a number of bipartisan and bicameral proposals to reform and improve the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families, and their survivors.
“After years of work on this bipartisan legislation, we’re thrilled to see veteran lawmakers are leading the way in Congress to make changes to the VA and provide life-saving support to veterans, caregivers, and survivors across the country. We’re especially thankful for the work of Denise Formolo, a veterans service officer who authored the Gerald’s Law Act, a piece led by her representative, Marine Corps veteran and For Country Caucus member Rep. Jack Bergman and supported by fellow caucus member and Air Force veteran, Chrissy Houlahan. The bill closes a loophole to stop veterans from losing their burial benefits if they choose to pass in hospice care rather than a VA facility. But this is just one piece among so many others in this legislation that are critical for helping our veterans. We’re hoping to see the Senate move quickly to pass the bill by year’s end.”
This bipartisan legislation would encompass a wide range of issues including healthcare, long term care and family caregivers, medical treatment, economic opportunity, employment training, disability and memorial affairs, homeless matters, and technology modernization.
For Country Caucus member led pieces of the legislation include:
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Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Jack Bergman
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Gerald’s Law Act, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Jack Bergman
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VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, led by For Country Caucus members, Rep. Jim Baird and Rep. Salud Carbajal
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Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, led by For Country Caucus members, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks
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Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
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Veteran Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform (CARE) Act of 2023, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Don Davis
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VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline (VACANT) Act, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Steve Womack
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Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General Training Act of 2023, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Steve Womack
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Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Morgan Luttrell
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Servicemember Employment Protection Act of 2023, led by For Country Caucus member, Rep. Scott Franklin