U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) on June 6, 2023, announced the introduction of the bipartisan Justice for ALS Veterans Act, which would ensure that families of service members diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) receive critical assistance. The bill removes a key bureaucratic barrier that has so far prevented many families of ALS-diagnosed service members from receiving certain benefits.
The bipartisan bill is co-led by Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
Studies have shown that veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an additional benefit to spouses and families of veterans who have died due to a service-related illness, but only in cases where the veteran was disabled for eight years prior to their death. The life expectancy of a patient with ALS is two to five years, meaning families of these patients rarely receive the benefit.
The Justice for ALS Veterans Act removes the eight year minimum in ALS cases and extends benefits to surviving spouses and families regardless of the length of diagnosis.
“The spouse or family of a veteran with ALS should never be denied assistance, but that’s precisely what our current policy does,” Slotkin said. “This is a straight-forward reform to existing law that will have a tremendous impact on the loved ones of veterans who have been diagnosed with this awful disease. This bill targets ALS cases directly, finally removing a bureaucratic barrier so surviving families may receive the vital benefits and support they deserve.”
Having worked alongside the military for nearly her entire career prior to elected office, Slotkin has prioritized legislation supporting veterans during her time in Congress. She led the bipartisan Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which helps veterans exposed to burn pits access benefits, and was signed into law as part of the PACT Act in September 2022; the Solid Start Act, which requires the VA ramp up their outreach to veterans in their transition back to civilian life, and was signed into law in October 2022, and the PAWS For Veterans Therapy Act, which helps connect veterans to service dogs, and was signed into law in August 2021.
