By Sheff Richey
ASHA and its long-term care coalition partners sent a letter to leaders of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS), urging them to seek a Unanimous Consent (UC) agreement on H.R. 8371, The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. H.R. 8371 passed the U.S. House with a favorable vote of 389-9 on November 18, 2024.
Specific to the interests of the coalition is Subtitle B, Section 127, which reflects key provisions of S. 495, the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act. This section authorizes the VA to offer assisted living settings for aging and disabled veterans who would otherwise require more costly nursing home care.