Representative Loretta Sanchez is known for her support of our veterans. Rep. Sanchez has voted to support the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act, which would provide health care, counseling, and respite care services for individuals. Stipends for eligible caregivers of severely wounded veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan would also be authorized.
The Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act addresses the problems that arise when family care for injured veterans and their own health suffers as a result. The Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act would:
- Create a new caregiver program to help both family and non-family members who provide care for veterans who are enrolled in the VA health system. The VA would be required to provide information about support services and benefits available to eligible caregivers.
- Counseling and mental health services would become available to both family and non-family caregivers of veterans.
- Provide respite care to caregivers. 24 hour in-home respite care would also become available.
- A monthly financial stipend would be available to primary family caregivers of severely injured veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and/or Iraqi Freedom.
- Primary family caregivers would be eligible for health coverage. The Civilian Health and Medical program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would be expanded to cover primary family care givers who care for severely injured or ill veterans who are unable to carry out basis day-to-day activities or are without health insurance or are not eligible for other public insurance options.
- Lodging and basic accommodations for caregivers who accompany veterans traveling to VA facilities for health care evaluations and treatments would be provided.
- The VA would be required to design and carry out a caregiver survey. The survey would be required to be carried out at least once every three years.
Rep. Sanchez said, "As ranking female member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to addressing the needs for America's servicemen and women, as well as their families. For many veterans, successful rehabilitation and recovery is dependent on the quality of care they receive. This bill will provide much-needed support to the brave friends and family members who sacrifice each day to care for America's veterans."
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