CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT VETERAN CAREGIVERS

(Washington, D.C.)— Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced the introduction of the Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act—bipartisan legislation designed to give caregivers compensated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) the support and access to benefits they deserve.

“Veteran caregivers dedicate their time and energy to supporting our veterans when they need it most—and it’s incumbent upon all of us to never forget the sacrifices they make,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “At a time when President Trump continues to recklessly slash funding for our veterans, it’s more important than ever that we step up to support those who have always stood up for us. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to provide stability for caregivers and ensure they have the essential benefits they deserve.”

Earlier this month, President Trump announced his plan to cut 80,000 employees from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), representing roughly 17% of the VA’s workforce. If enacted, these cuts would be detrimental to numerous veteran-focused resources and services including: VA healthcare access, the Veterans Crisis Line—which is aimed into preventing veteran suicide, funding for veteran well-being research, and more. In response, Congressman Morelle introduced the bipartisan Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act to support caregivers enrolled in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and increase veterans’ access to care.

PCAFC was created in 2010 to provide a monthly income for caregivers of disabled (>70% rating) veterans. Today, there are over 55,000 caregivers participating in the program. The Veteran Caregiver RRR Act would increase and extend certain benefits to PCAFC caregivers.

Members of the PCAFC as well as other veteran caregivers can have gaps in their resumes and lose their employment certifications while providing services for their loved one. When their loved one either passes away or returns to independent functioning, caregivers need to return to the workplace and have to address these issues. And a few caregivers who only receive CHAMPVA as an insurance benefit through PCAFC lose health insurance within 90 days of leaving PCAFC through the death or discharge of the veteran. In other insurance programs, members have 180 days to transition their health insurance benefits.

To address these issues, Rep. Morelle’s legislation would:

• Provide former caregivers with bereavement counseling and funds to renew their professional certifications;
• Allow former caregivers to participate in VA employment assistance programs;
• Study the possibility of allowing caregivers to make contributions to Social Security and other types of existing retirement accounts, the feasibility of caregivers being allowed to participate in a Department of Labor returnship program, and the possibility of the VA incorporating former caregivers into the VA workforce as personal care attendants, enabling the VA to lessen staff shortages;
• Give Medicare ineligible caregivers the option to keep their CHAMPVA health insurance received through the Caregiver Support Program for 180 days rather than the current 90 days.

This bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Hirono (D-HI) and Moran (R-KS). Numerous nationwide veterans’ advocacy groups support this legislation, including: the Quality of Life Foundation, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

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