Bipartisan WA bill would help all aging veterans
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Spokane) and Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) have introduced the Planning for Aging Veterans Act to support long-term care needs of veterans across the country. The legislation would pave the way for future investments in long-term care, improve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ relationship with state veterans’ homes, and expand the care veterans residing in state-run veterans’ homes receive.
“The selfless men and women who served in our military have given so much both at home and overseas.,” Rodgers said. “As they retire from the service and get older, it’s critical that we step up as Americans to make sure they have access to every resource to meet their changing health care needs. This bill is a small step towards providing the heroes of our country with the retirement care they’ve earned in service to our nation.”
According to Rodgers’ office, nearly 50 percent of the 9 million veterans currently enrolled in the VA’s health care system are at least 65 years of age. From 2018 to 2028, the number of enrolled veterans aged 75 and older is projected to grow by 46 percent. With this rapid increase in aging veterans, VA’s Community Living Centers, community nursing homes, and state veterans’ homes will play an increasingly pivotal role in providing long-term care.
The Planning for Aging Veterans Act will require the VA to develop a strategy to address the current and future long-term care needs of veterans and identify areas for future investment; instruct the VA to work with public housing authorities and local organizations to assist aging homeless veterans in accessing existing housing and supportive services; and standardize the process across VA for medical centers entering into sharing agreements with state homes.
