WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce the bipartisan Veterans Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform (CARE) Act to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (Caregivers Program), and ensure that caregivers and veterans can take advantage of the support and care they deserve.
The Caregivers Program provides comprehensive support for caretakers of veterans injured in the line of duty. Veterans and caregivers currently participating in the program have reported frustration with the lack of medical assessment of veterans’ needs as well as improper notices of decisions from the VA that impact care. Additionally, due to the complicated application and appeals process, many veterans and caregivers need advocates to guide their way through it. The Rosen-backed CARE Act would require that medical specialists evaluate veterans’ applications, mandate that detailed reasoning be laid out in the event of a denial, and require that the VA deliver an annual report to Congress on the program.
“The brave veterans who risked their lives and were injured while serving our nation deserve to have the best care we can provide” said Senator Rosen. “I was proud to help introduce this bipartisan bill to improve the support available for caregivers who look after these heroes. Our nation made a sacred promise to take care of our veterans, and I’ll always fight to make sure we live up to this commitment.”
Senator Rosen has been a leader in supporting our nation’s servicemembers and veterans. She secured a new VA hospital in Reno and Nevada’s first-ever Veteran Business Outreach Center. Senator Rosen has also co-sponsored the bipartisan GUARD VA Benefits Act to protect veterans from predatory practices. Last year, she helped pass the bipartisan PACT Act to extend VA benefits and health care to all veterans suffering from illnesses as a result of exposure to burn pits and other toxins during their service overseas.
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