Legislative Update: S. 1963, The Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009

October 29, 2009

Due to the fact that the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs has been unable to move any of its major legislative measures to the Senate floor for consideration, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), chairman of the Senate VA Committee, has decided to merge the two major health care bills: S. 252, the Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, and S. 801, the Caregiver and Veterans Health Services Act of 2009 into a single bill.  As such, Sen. Akaka has introduced S. 1963, the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009, which combines the provisions of those two bills. 

This comprehensive legislation makes a number of positive changes to veterans health-care services and programs. Specifically, it would improve mental health programs, health-care services directed at female veterans, and personnel policies and procedures administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Of particular importance to Paralyzed Veterans of America are the sections of the legislation that would provide needed support to family caregivers of severely disabled veterans and that would eliminate copayments that priority group 4 catastrophically disabled veterans are currently required to pay.  Paralyzed Veterans of America members are the highest percentage users of VA health-care services.  And yet priority group 4 veterans face steep financial penalties for relying so heavily on VA. This legislation would correct this issue. Failure to act decisively on this critical legislation will negatively impact a great many of the most severely disabled veterans and their families who struggle each day. 

If you have any questions, please contact Carl Blake, PVA national legislative director, at 202-416-7708 or at carlb@pva.org. 

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