There has been additional legislation introduced to increase community services for our Veteran community. In the Senate, House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs leaders Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), introduced H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. In the House, the Act is sponsored by Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. At this point the bill has 21 Republican co-sponsors, but no democratic co-sponsors.
Senator Moran says that the Act will make “critical changes to VA and provide life-saving support to veterans, caregivers and survivors across the country. This legislation will improve access to health care and benefits, expand long-term care programs and make it easier for veterans struggling with mental health and addiction to get needed treatment.” A very important provision is that the Act also stops the Veterans Health Administration from overriding a physician’s recommendation for non-VA care when it is in the best medical interest of the veteran.
The Act has been described as a “harmful privatization package” by some of its detractors. However, as most Veterans know, the VA healthcare system needs improving and the ability of a Veteran to use community services is of paramount importance. As of now, the Act has received support from numerous Veterans’ organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
To read a section-by-section summary of the Act, click here.
As healthcare is of vital importance to many Veterans, Gardberg and Kemmerly is keeping a close watch on this issue, including staying up to date on any information that is helpful to our Veterans regarding healthcare. If you have a claim for disability and need assistance, please call our office and speak with one of our qualified Veterans’ Disability attorneys. Gardberg and Kemmerly is committed to helping injured and disabled Veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. If you need help with a disability claim, call the office at 251-343-1111 or 1-800-332-1529 for a free consultation. Gardberg and Kemmerly is proud to serve Veterans across the country from our home office in Mobile, Alabama.