U.S Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, today unveiled a new bipartisan bill to help senior veterans live more independently and cut costs for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act would create a three-year pilot program for eligible veterans to receive assisted living care paid for by the VA. The bill is co-led by Republicans Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma and Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, and Democrats David Trone of Maryland and Annie Kuster of New Hampshire.
A September 2021 report to Congress by the VA concluded that the number of veterans eligible for nursing home care is expected to rise by approximately 535% over the next 20 years. However, many of these veterans do not require the comprehensive care provided by nursing homes, and would be better served by assisted living, which would allow them to live more independently.
Currently, the VA is barred from covering room and board at assisted living facilities. VA coverage of assisted living care would also significantly cut costs for the department, as nursing home fees average nearly $121,000 per year, while assisted living facilities cost only a little more than $51,000 per year.
“When we send our men and women in uniform into harm’s way, we make a solemn promise to take care of them when they return home, including in their later years,” said Slotkin. “Our bill is a bipartisan approach to make sure that our veterans have access to affordable, high quality care later in life. As an Army wife and step-mom, I’m pleased that this pilot program will lay the groundwork for veterans to live their lives independently and without undue financial stress.”
Slotkin served alongside the U.S. military as a CIA officer on three tours in Iraq. As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, she’s been a longtime advocate for Michigan’s veterans, having introduced the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which was signed into law as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act earlier this summer. The package will provide health insurance to an additional 3.5 million veterans suffering from the long-term effects of exposure to toxic burn pits.
The bill has been endorsed by a range of veteran service organizations, including Disabled American Veterans (DAV), National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH), Military Officers, Association of America (MOAA), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Associate (PVA), and the American Association of Retired People (AARP).
“With the number of veterans eligible for long-term care expected to increase more than fivefold over the next two decades, the VA needs to be prepared to care for these veterans and ensure they can live their lives as independently as possible,” said Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans.
“One way to accomplish this is by providing those veterans whose conditions do not rise to the level of requiring nursing home care with other long-term care options. The Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act would create a pilot program for veterans to receive assisted living care paid for by VA and would allow more veterans to continue living with respect and dignity. DAV is pleased to give our support, and we thank Rep. Slotkin for introducing this important legislation.”
