This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 389-9 to pass H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The Dole Act includes Argentum-supported legislation to expand access to assisted living for Veterans.

The bill was passed under suspension of the rules, allowing it to bypass the lengthier legislative process for quick consideration on the floor. It now heads to the Senate for consideration, where it must pass before the end of the year to avoid having to begin the process anew with the next Congress.

This legislation incorporates language from the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act (H.R. 1815 and S. 495), legislation that Argentum has strongly supported to allow veterans to choose assisted living for their long-term care benefit, instead of nursing home care.

In observance of Veterans Day, the U.S. Senate Special Committee On Aging is holding a field hearing in Tampa, Florida today at 2:00 p.m. ET on "Issues Facing Veterans: Access to Care, Services, and Economic Opportunity."

Today's field hearing presents an opportunity for senior living advocates to get our voices heard on the need for Congress to pass the Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act (H.R. 1815, S. 495). This bipartisan legislation would finally give veterans the ability to choose assisted living for their long-term care, instead of a nursing home.

The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs is holding a legislative hearing this afternoon on 19 pieces of legislation, including S. 495, the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act. Argentum strongly supports this bill in demonstrating the value of assisted living and providing Veterans a choice in their long-term care.

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
3:00 pm ET

In prior testimony, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) affirmed its support of the legislation, subject to some technical corrections, noting that, "VA supports the protections this bill would include to ensure that Veterans are protected and receiving safe and appropriate care." Additionally, prior testimony by Dr. Erica Scavella, MD, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services at the VA noted, “VA generally agrees that specific authority, particularly in the form of a pilot program, to furnish assisted living services would be a helpful addition to VA’s options for long-term care. VA has encountered difficulties in appropriately placing Veterans who may only require assisted living services because these Veterans do not qualify for nursing home care.”

Lawmakers are preparing to reintroduce legislation this week that would expand access to assisted living for veterans. The legislation renews the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act, introduced in the last session of Congress by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Patty Murray (D-WA), to establish a pilot program for eligible veterans to receive assisted living care paid for by the Veterans Administration (VA).

There are growing indications that important legislation Argentum strongly supported last year will soon be reintroduced in the 118th Congress, likely by the end of this month.