LeadingAge joined five associations in a November 22 letter requesting that the Senate expedite passage of H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 8371 on November 18, following a similar coalition letter transmitted to House leaders.

This legislation proposes a comprehensive update and overhaul to modernize services available to veterans. In addition to creating an assisted living pilot program for veterans, the legislation focuses on mental and behavioral health support, updates to programs serving aging and disabled veterans, training and educational programs, and supplemental oversight to improve program integrity. The bill also includes the addition of PACE as a mandatory option for veterans meeting eligibility criteria in areas where PACE programs are in service.

If enacted, this bill would improve veterans’ access to critical services provided by LeadingAge members.