H.R. 542 · 118th Congress · House

Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

In Congress· Received in the Senate.
Introduced
Jan 26, 23
Passed House
Dec 5, 23
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care generally may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.) However, for specified veterans, the VA may exceed 100% of the cost if it determines the higher cost is in the best interest of such veterans (i.e., veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a spinal cord injury, or a condition the Secretary determines to be similar to such conditions).

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
  • implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
  • provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
  • implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
  • ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.

For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.

The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.

The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through February 4, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.

Previous Versions

07Nov 29, 2023

Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care generally may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.) However, for specified veterans, the VA may exceed 100% of the cost if it determines the higher cost is in the best interest of such veterans (i.e., veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a spinal cord injury, or a condition the Secretary determines to be similar to such conditions).

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
  • implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
  • provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
  • implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
  • ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.

For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.

The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.

The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through January 26, 2032, under the VA's home loan program.

00Jan 26, 2023

Elizabeth Dole Home- and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2023 or the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Under the bill, the cost of providing noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care may not exceed 100% of the cost that would have been incurred if a veteran had been furnished VA nursing home care, unless the VA determines that a higher cost is in the best interest of the veteran. (Under current law, these expenditures are limited to 65% of the cost.)

Among other requirements, the VA must

  • seek to enter into an agreement with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in certain areas to furnish noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care;
  • implement various programs (e.g., the Veteran Directed Care program) to expand access to home- and community-based services;
  • provide specified support and benefits to caregivers of certain disabled veterans;
  • implement a pilot program to provide homemaker and home health aide services to veterans who reside in communities with a shortage of home health aides; and
  • ensure the availability of home and community-based services for Native American veterans.

For veterans or family caregivers who are discharged from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, a caregiver support coordinator must provide for a personalized transition to an appropriate program.

The Veterans Health Administration must review programs administered through the Office of Geriatric and Extended Care to ensure consistency in program management, eliminate service gaps at the medical center level, and ensure the availability of and access to home and community-based services.

Action Timeline

20
  1. DEC 06, 2023IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  2. DEC 05, 2023Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H6130-6131)

    6130Yea
    6131Nay
    0NV
  3. DEC 05, 2023Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #696

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 5 (Roll no. 696). (text: 12/04/2023 CR H6097-6100)

    414Yea
    5Nay
    0NV
  4. DEC 05, 2023Floor

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 5 (Roll no. 696). (text: 12/04/2023 CR H6097-6100)

    Roll Call #696
    414Yea
    5Nay
    0NV
  5. DEC 05, 2023Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  6. DEC 04, 2023Floor

    Mr

    Bergman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  7. DEC 04, 2023Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H6097-6103)

    6097Yea
    6103Nay
    0NV
  8. DEC 04, 2023Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 542.

  9. DEC 04, 2023Floor

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  10. NOV 29, 2023Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-284.

    118Yea
    284Nay
    0NV
  11. NOV 29, 2023Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 118-284.

    118Yea
    284Nay
    0NV
  12. NOV 29, 2023Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 228.

  13. JUL 26, 2023Committee

    Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

  14. JUL 26, 2023Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  15. JUL 26, 2023Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Voice Vote.

  16. MAR 29, 2023Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  17. MAR 23, 2023Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  18. JAN 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  19. JAN 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  20. JAN 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committees

7

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Nov 29, 2023

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Jul 26, 2023

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Jul 26, 2023

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Jul 26, 2023

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Mar 29, 2023

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsvr03

Referred: Mar 23, 2023

Active

Veterans' Affairs Committee

hsvr00

Referred: Jan 26, 2023

Active