Improving Adult Day Health Care Services for Veterans

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2460, which would expand disabled veterans' access to adult day health care, a daily program for disabled veterans who need extra assistance and special attention in their day-to-day lives. Those veterans who are 70 percent or more disabled from a service-connected injury often require significant assistance from others in order to carry out basic everyday tasks.

Despite various care options for veterans, their choices are often limited and can come at a great expense. One such program that is currently available is adult day health care. This program provides disabled veterans and their families with a high-quality alternative to nursing home care, providing quality outpatient services for those suffering from debilitating illnesses or disabilities.

These programs provide a range of services from daily activities such as bathing to full medical services like physical therapy. The focus of the program is on improving disabled veterans' quality of life through an individualized plan specific to their needs while still allowing them to maintain their independence.

Adult day health care programs don't only benefit the veteran, they also benefit the family members and caregivers as well. This model allows caregivers to tend to their day-to-day activities without worrying about the well-being of their spouse, child, or friend, allowing the veteran to lead a much more fulfilling life, while keeping families together and strong.

Adult day health care, however, is only currently offered at three facilities in the entire country. My district is fortunate to have one of these facilities, the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook, New York, but this program could easily be offered at any of the 153 State veterans homes across the country.

Since the Department of Veterans Affairs does not currently cover the cost of participation in this program, the expense must be paid out of pocket by the veteran and their family, which significantly limits the number of veterans who can enroll.

My bill, H.R. 2460, would ensure that 70 percent or more service- connected disabled veterans are able to receive adult day health care at no cost to the veteran and their family by defining the program as a reimbursable treatment option through the VA. This would expand this great option of care for our veterans.

Currently, 52 Republicans and Democrats in this Chamber have signed on as cosponsors of this bill. I would like to thank the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Jeff Miller, for his leadership as chairman of the committee and for recognizing the urgency in passing this bill. Myself, the committee, many Members of this Congress, his constituents, and this country will miss him following his service this year.

I would also like to thank House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for having this bill placed on the calendar for today.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source