Washington, D.C.– May 16, 2018 – The Elizabeth Dole Foundation celebrates today’s passage of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (H.R. 5674) in the House. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
The VA MISSION Act, introduced by VA Committee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN), would expand the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), which offers critical financial and educational support, to caregivers caring for veterans of all eras. Currently, only post-9/11 veterans are eligible for the PCAFC.
“Today’s passage of the VA MISSION Act in the House is a momentous victory for caregivers and the veterans they love and support. We are now one step closer to supporting all caregivers equitably, regardless of their veterans’ era of service,” said Senator Elizabeth Dole, Founder of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “We thank House VA Committee Chairman Phil Roe for his tremendous leadership in shepherding this bill through the House, and we look forward to working with our great friends, Senate VA Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson and Ranking Member Jon Tester, as they move this through the Senate. We call upon all Members of the Senate to support this transformative and critical legislation.”
In addition to expanding the PCAFC, the bill also extends the Veterans Choice program for one year; strengthens the VA’s ability to recruit, hire, and retain quality medical personnel; and reviews, realigns, and modernizes the VA’s healthcare infrastructure.
See below for more information on the Foundation’s efforts to support expansion:
- https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/387777-not-only-do-we-need-to-support-vets-but-their-caregivers-too
- https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/elizabeth-dole-foundation-statement-regarding-house-committee-on-veterans-affairs-passage-of-va-mission-act/
- https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/edf-signs-on-to-letter-of-support-for-va-mission-act-of-2018/
- https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/statement-from-steve-schwab-executive-director-of-the-elizabeth-dole-foundation-before-the-house-committee-on-veterans-affairs/
- https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/elizabeth-dole-foundation-urges-congress-include-va-caregiver-program-omnibus-spending-bill/
