By Michael V. Quatrini, Esquire and Erika N. Dowd, Esq.
The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act was signed into law by President Biden on January 2, 2025. The new law contains more than 90 sections, making improvements to veterans’ long-term care, caregiver programs, mental health resources, education, job training and the modernization of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act:
- Expands home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It will give severely ill and aging veterans the choice to convalesce at home by providing their caregivers more increased access to support services.
- Specifies that the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care may not exceed 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. Previously, these expenditures were limited to 65% of the cost.
- Fix community care options for veterans outside of the VA healthcare system, including the reimbursement of ambulance costs for care for certain rural veterans.
- Extends the timelines, eligibility, and availability of certain GI Bill programs.
- Provides funding for family caregiver mental health services and for sheltering and providing essentials, such as food, hygiene items, and rideshare to medical appointment for homeless veterans.
The attorneys and staff of Quatrini Law Group are pleased that Congress has recognized the many challenges facing our Veterans. Our firm has represented Veterans who suffer service-connected disabilities. If you, or someone you know, has applied for service connected disability benefits and has been denied, contact us online or call 1-888-534-6016 to find out if our attorneys can assist you with your appeal.
