TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

Bill: 116-s-2216
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-07-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Family services
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-23
text: 

Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act or the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

 
The bill revises the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver programs. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to formally recognize caregivers of veterans by identifying any caregiver in the health record of the veteran. Such caregivers covered by the bill include those participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and those participating in the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.
 
The bill requires the VA to notify veterans and their caregivers regarding any clinical determinations made relating to claims under, or eligibility for, the specified caregiver programs. The notifications must be standardized and contain specified details regarding the decisions.
 
The bill also requires the VA to temporarily extend benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers for at least 90 days after the receipt of notice that a veteran is no longer clinically eligible for the program. Such an extension shall not apply to the termination of caregiver benefits (1) for cause, (2) because the veteran died, or (3) upon request of the caregiver or veteran. 

action_date: 2020-09-15
text: 

Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act or the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

 
The bill revises the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver programs. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to formally recognize caregivers of veterans by identifying any caregiver in the electronic health record of the veteran. Such caregivers covered by the bill include those approved as a provider of personal care services under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and those participating in the Program of General Caregiver Support Services.
 
The bill requires the VA to use standardized letters to notify veterans, their caregivers, and applicants for the program regarding decisions affecting the furnishing of assistance under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
 
The bill also authorizes the VA to temporarily extend benefits under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, including the monthly personal caregiver stipend, after determining that a veteran is no longer clinically eligible for the program.

action_date: 2020-11-17
text: 

Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act or the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

 
The bill revises the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver programs. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to report on the feasibility and advisability of formally recognizing caregivers of veterans by identifying them in the veteran's electronic health record. Such caregivers covered by the bill include those approved as a provider of personal care services under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and those participating in the Program of General Caregiver Support Services. If the VA determines that formally recognizing caregivers is feasible and advisable, it must implement recognition.
 
The bill requires the VA to use standardized letters to notify veterans, their caregivers, and applicants for the program regarding decisions affecting the furnishing of assistance under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Such notifications must contain specified details regarding the decision.
 
The bill also authorizes the VA to extend benefits for a 90-day period under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, including the monthly personal caregiver stipend, after determining that a veteran is no longer eligible for the program solely because of improvement in their condition. The effective date of discharge from the program shall not be earlier than 60 days after the date on which the VA provides notice of the lack of eligibility.

action_date: 2020-12-31
text: 

Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures for Veteran Caregivers Act or the TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act

 
The bill revises the administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) caregiver programs. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to report on the feasibility and advisability of formally recognizing caregivers of veterans by identifying them in the veteran's electronic health record. Such caregivers covered by the bill include those approved as a provider of personal care services under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers and those participating in the Program of General Caregiver Support Services. If the VA determines that formally recognizing caregivers is feasible and advisable, it must implement recognition.
 
The bill requires the VA to use standardized letters to notify veterans, their caregivers, and applicants for the program regarding decisions affecting the furnishing of assistance under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Such notifications must contain specified details regarding the decision.
 
The bill also authorizes the VA to extend benefits for a 90-day period under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, including the monthly personal caregiver stipend, after determining that a veteran is no longer eligible for the program solely because of improvement in their condition. The effective date of discharge from the program shall not be earlier than 60 days after the date on which the VA provides notice of the lack of eligibility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-31
text: Became Public Law No: 116-278.
action_date: 2020-12-31
text: Became Public Law No: 116-278.
action_date: 2020-12-31
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2020-12-31
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 0 (Roll no. 244). (text: CR H7211)
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 380 - 0 (Roll no. 244).(text: CR H7211)
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7224-7225)
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2216.
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7211-7213)
action_date: 2020-12-16
text: Mr. Takano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7044-7045)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7044-7045)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent. (CR S7044)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7044-7045)
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 540.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-09-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-07-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-23
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 116-278