Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8371.
This important bill package will strengthen VA community care, streamline the disability benefits process, and improve oversight and accountability at VA. Its consideration here today is the culmination of months of committee work, negotiation, and fine-tuning on behalf of our Nation's veterans. Included in this package is language from the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023, which will improve support for aging veterans and their caregivers.
I was proud to join Congresswoman Brownley in introducing the bill last year, and I am proud to support this larger bill package as a veteran and as a member of the House VA Committee.
While I could fill an hour of time discussing this and the many other important reforms of this bill, I will focus on a relatively small provision that exemplifies the good advocacy and policymaking that often goes unnoticed by the media. Gerald's Law, which I originally introduced as H.R. 234, is named after Gerald Elliott, a U.S. Army veteran and a resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in my district.
Jerry passed away in 2019 while receiving VA hospice care at his home. Following his death, Jerry's family discovered that, even though he received hospice care through the VA, the fact that he received this care at home meant his family did not qualify for burial benefits after his death.
I was made aware of this injustice by Denise Formolo, the Veterans Service Officer who was assisting Jerry's family. Her advocacy led me to create Gerald's Law, a bill to fix this legislative oversight and ensure that no veteran will have to worry about losing VA benefits for their family when choosing to spend their last days in the comfort of their own home.
I am grateful for the inclusion of Gerald's Law in this package, and I thank Chairman Bost and the VA committee staff for their tireless work getting this across the finish line.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8371.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Source