Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-542
Sponsor: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Introduced: 2023-01-26 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Adult day care
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Housing for the elderly and disabled
Neurological disorders
Social security and elderly assistance
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2023-01-26
text: 

Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care, unless the VA determines that a higher cost is in the best interest of the veteran. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.)
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
 
implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
 
provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
 
implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
 
ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.
 
 
For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.
 
The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.

action_date: 2023-11-29
text: 

Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care generally may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.) However, for specified veterans, the VA may exceed 100% of the cost if it determines the higher cost is in the best interest of such veterans (i.e., veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a spinal cord injury, or a condition the Secretary determines to be similar to such conditions).
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
 
implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
 
provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
 
implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
 
ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.
 
 
For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.
 
The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.
 
The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through January 26, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.

action_date: 2023-12-05
text: 

Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
 
Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care generally may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.) However, for specified veterans, the VA may exceed 100% of the cost if it determines the higher cost is in the best interest of such veterans (i.e., veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a spinal cord injury, or a condition the Secretary determines to be similar to such conditions).
 
Among other requirements, the VA must
 
 
seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
 
implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
 
provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
 
implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
 
ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.
 
 
For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.
 
The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.
 
The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through February 4, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-12-06
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 5 (Roll no. 696). (text: 12/04/2023 CR H6097-6100)
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 5 (Roll no. 696). (text: 12/04/2023 CR H6097-6100)
action_date: 2023-12-05
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6130-6131)
action_date: 2023-12-04
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: 2023-12-04
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 542.
action_date: 2023-12-04
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6097-6103)
action_date: 2023-12-04
text: Mr. Bergman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-11-29
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 228.
action_date: 2023-11-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-284.
action_date: 2023-11-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-284.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2023-03-29
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2023-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2023-01-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-01-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-01-26
text: Introduced in House