REPRESENTATIVES MORELLE, CISCOMANI INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT VETERAN CAREGIVERS

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle (D, NY-25) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R, AZ-6) announced they have introduced the Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act—legislation designed to support caregivers compensated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

“When our veterans return home from the theatre of war, it’s critical they receive the world-class care they deserve, but we cannot forget their caregivers, who dedicate their time and energy to supporting our veterans when they need it most,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “This legislation would help ensure caregivers compensated through the PCAFC program have the same benefits and stability provided to other members of our workforce. I look forward to working with Congressman Ciscomani and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation into law and continue our commitment to supporting our nation’s brave veterans and their caregivers.”

Congressman Juan Ciscomani said: “As we strive to give our veterans the care they deserve, we must also look after their caregivers who do so much for them. As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I understand that caring for those who served goes beyond the veteran, extending to their families and support systems as well. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Morelle to ensure our veterans’ caregivers are compensated with the benefits and support they need.”

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) was created in 2010 to provide a monthly income for non-spouse caregivers to 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 to encourage more participants and better retain existing participants.

Additionally, caregivers have gaps in their resumes and lose their employment certifications while caregiving 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, this 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.

Veterans’ advocacy groups reiterated the importance of this legislation, including: the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Quality of Life Foundation, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the American Legion.

Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), President and CEO of MOAA, said: "MOAA is deeply grateful to Congressmen Morelle and Ciscomani for their leadership in introducing the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act in the House. Your support of this legislation is a testament to your dedication to those who have selflessly served our nation. MOAA urges Congress to pass this important legislation to study the feasibility of creating successful financial pathways that empower caregivers to lead fulfilling lives." 

Andrea Sawyer, Quality of Life Foundation's Advocacy Director, said: "Quality of Life Foundation would like to thank Representatives Morelle and Ciscomani for sponsoring a bill that will help caregivers secure their financial futures beyond their caregiving years.  In March of 2022, Quality of Life Foundation testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, that while the caregiver stipend satisfies current income needs of caregivers after they have left the workforce to care for their veterans, the stipend's designation as unearned income does not allow caregivers a mechanism to save for their retirement years, potentially leaving them destitute in their elderly years after their veterans have passed away. The Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement Bill allows caregivers support in renewing their professional certifications that lapsed during their caregiving years, incentivizes returnship opportunities with employers who support caregivers in their re-entry into the work world after their caregiving journeys have ended, and studies creating a pathway for caregivers to contribute to personal retirement accounts to secure their financial futures after their caregiving years have ended. We are grateful that Congress continues to recognize and fix the gaps that were created by a first of its kind program to support the caregivers of the nation's veterans.”

“Caregivers and their families have been crucial to supporting our nation’s service members and veterans from the beginning, but their efforts are too often overlooked. At the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we work every single day to make sure these hidden heroes are heard, seen, and supported,” said Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “We are thankful to Representatives Morelle and Ciscomani for listening to the needs of military and veteran caregivers and their families, and for giving them the opportunity for economic mobility following years of financial sacrifice caring for those who served our nation. We continue to urge Congress to follow their example and provide caregivers with the support and relief they deserve.”

Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations at the Wounded Warrior Project, said: “Caregivers are hidden heroes who often place their own needs and pursuits behind those of the severely wounded warriors they care for.  As caregiving situations change, or if the worst happens and a warrior passes away, we need to ensure that caregivers are supported as they move to the next phase of their lives, whether that means receiving additional education, re-entering the workforce, or deciding to retire. The Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act is crucial legislation that will help ensure caregivers can support themselves, care more effectively for their wounded warrior, and look forward to a strong and empowering future, and WWP is grateful for Representatives Morelle and Ciscomani's leadership on these important issues."

This bill was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Sinema (I-AZ) and Moran (R-KS).

To learn more about the Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement (Veteran Caregiver RRR) Act, read the full text of the bill here.

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