H R 8371 - Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act

Nov 28

Sources

Summary of Elizabeth Dole's Role in H.R. 8371

H.R. 8371 is named after Senator Elizabeth Dole, honoring her advocacy for veterans and their families. The Act emphasizes bipartisan cooperation and focuses on expanding long-term care and caregiver support for veterans, aligning with Dole's work with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Senator Dole is committed to the Act's swift passage in the Senate, reflecting her dedication to veterans' welfare. Her involvement in this legislation highlights her legacy of service and advocacy for veterans.

The Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) would see significant changes.

Veterans and clinicians are responsible for determining VCCP care eligibility. The VA plans to increase outreach efforts regarding VCCP eligibility, procedures, and appeals. There will be annual reviews of payment rate waivers for Third Party Administrators. Additionally, the VA is set to implement a pilot program aimed at improving VCCP care administration. The VA Inspector General will assess the effectiveness of identifying eligible veterans and delivering care. Furthermore, the Comptroller General will study the impact of reimbursement rates on the availability of dental providers.

Details about the Dental Care Program for Veterans

The Veterans Community Care Program Report, as outlined in Section 111 of H.R. 8371, mandates a report on dental care within the program, focusing on reimbursement rates, dental provider satisfaction, and emergency dental care approval processes. Additionally, Section 144 of H.R. 8371 introduces a two-year pilot program for veterans with ischemic heart disease, aimed at dental care. This pilot will be implemented in up to five states, emphasizing strategic criteria and involving a review of the community care network, mobile dental clinics, and home-based care. It also ensures continuity of care post-program with alternative options, with annual and final reports to Congress on the program's efficacy and recommendations. Furthermore, Section 106 introduces a pilot to streamline dental care approval processes, while Section 150 requires a report on the dental care infrastructure of VA facilities.

Veteran Suicide Prevention Measures in H.R. 8371

The Bill addresses veteran suicide through comprehensive reporting, research, and data enhancement. Section 149 mandates the submission and online publication of a "National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report" to Congress, detailing veteran suicide rates and trends by demographics and healthcare/benefits engagement. The report includes a data collection strategy developed with the CDC to improve data accuracy and timeliness at state, local, and federal levels. An independent assessment by a private sector entity will evaluate the report's accuracy, methodology, and cross-referencing with VA programs, offering recommendations for improvement. Section 502 requires an additional report three years post-enactment to analyze the impact of VA benefits and services on suicide prevention, including the effectiveness of the Solid Start program. A toolkit for coroners and medical examiners, developed with the CDC, will guide the identification and reporting of veteran suicide deaths. The Act emphasizes data-driven approaches, independent assessments, and collaboration to enhance understanding and prevention of veteran suicide.

Education Benefits in H.R. 8371

H.R. 8371 aims to enhance educational benefits for veterans, families, and survivors by expanding eligibility for the Fry Scholarship and removing time limits for surviving spouses. It clarifies liability for transferred educational assistance and extends response time for VA surveys. The bill revises approval requirements for educational institutions and enhances VA oversight. It mandates digital transcripts and ensures a full housing allowance for final semester veterans. Additionally, it simplifies approval for commercial driver education programs and modernizes document delivery. The legislation extends protection for GI Bill benefits during program closures and requires advance notice for policy changes. It facilitates electronic fund transfers for foreign institutions and improves transparency and accountability. Furthermore, it establishes a High Technology Program for veterans, offering short-term training in high-demand fields, and emphasizes transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making to support veterans' education.

Improvements are also proposed for long-term care, family caregivers, and other medical treatment.

The proposed changes aim to empower veterans in healthcare decisions, improve access to care, especially in rural areas, enhance care quality through performance metrics and data sciences, support family caregivers of veterans, and modernize VA systems and processes. These changes include increasing the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives to nursing home care, awarding grants to improve mental health support for family caregivers of veterans, and establishing programs for home and community-based services, including Veteran-Directed Care. Additionally, there is a plan to implement a pilot program for assisted living services for certain veterans and require the VA to submit quarterly reports to Congress on non-VA health care referrals. Modifications to pay limitations for VA medical professionals are proposed to address recruitment and retention issues. A pilot program for dental care for veterans with ischemic heart disease is also to be established, along with the creation of an online health education portal for veterans. The development of standardized performance metrics and oversight for VA employees is included, as well as the publication of a National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. Finally, the authorization of appropriations for mobile mammography services for veterans is proposed.

Support for Home-Based Care for Veterans

The Act focuses on expanding home- and community-based services (HCBS) for veterans by introducing new programs that target specific needs and offer various support levels. The Veteran-Directed Care Program allows veterans to purchase in-home care services directly, while the Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program expands access through agreements with agencies. The Home-Based Primary Care Program provides in-home healthcare services overseen by VA providers, and the Purchased Skilled Home Care Program authorizes the VA to purchase specific in-home care services. A pilot program for assisted living services aims to offer more long-term care options and reduce costs. The Act proposes raising the expenditure cap for non-institutional care alternatives and directs improvements to the existing Homemaker and Home Health Aide Program. It addresses veteran preferences, improved health outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of home-based care, while acknowledging and addressing workforce shortages and coordination across VA programs. Emphasis is placed on outreach and awareness to inform veterans about HCBS programs, with the aim of enhancing home-based care options to provide veterans with greater choice and control.

Support for Avoiding Homelessness and Accessing Education

The Act addresses veteran homelessness and access to education by increasing funding for homeless prevention programs, granting flexibility in fund allocation for homeless assistance, and utilizing VA land for temporary housing for homeless veterans. It expands the Fry Scholarship eligibility and removes expiration for surviving spouses, establishes a high technology program for veterans, modifies existing education programs for better accessibility, and improves transparency and accountability of educational institutions. The Act emphasizes education and training as pathways to economic opportunity for veterans.

Where to go Next And How To Apply For These Benefits (As of this writing, Nov 29, 2024)

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must establish a process to recognize organizations and individuals to assist veterans, their family members, and caregivers in navigating the Veterans Health Administration's programs and services.
This process must be established within a year of the enactment of this Act.
Veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to start availing of their benefits, specifically through a telephone call.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should develop a plan to ensure that covered veterans who contact the Department by telephone to request an appointment for care or services can have the appointment scheduled during that phone call, regardless of the appointment date.
A website will be created that will contain descriptions of each covered program, an informational assessment tool that explains eligibility for a veteran, and a list of required procedures for directors of medical facilities to follow when determining the eligibility and suitability of veterans for participation in a covered program.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs can award grants to states and Indian Tribes to improve outreach to veterans. These programs aim to inform individuals about benefits they may be eligible for and provide opportunities for individuals to receive competent services in preparing, presenting, and prosecuting veteran benefit claims.
It is recommended to reach out to the Department of Veterans Affairs directly or connect with a veteran service organization for the most up-to-date and personalized information on accessing benefits.

Victor Acorda