Senators Collins, Hirono Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Preserve VA Nursing Home Care Coverage for Tens of Thousands of Veterans

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) introduced the bipartisan Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act to preserve nursing home care for tens of thousands of veterans nationwide. Senator Angus King (I-ME) was a cosponsor of the legislation.

The bill would extend for an additional year the existing authority under law that requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide nursing home care for veterans with a 70 percent or more service-connected disability rating. Under current law, this authority will expire on December 31, 2017. On average, 161 Maine veterans receive care through this authority at VA and private facilities in the state.

“We owe it to our veterans to provide them with the high-quality health care they have earned through their service to our country,” said Senator Collins. “By extending the authorization for nursing home coverage, our bipartisan legislation would make sure that service-disabled veterans receive the care, resources, and support that they need.”

“VA coverage of nursing home care has helped hundreds of Hawaii veterans and their families afford comprehensive services to maintain their quality of life and care for their service-connected conditions,” said Senator Hirono. “Last month I visited Hale Makua Health Services on Maui which would be impacted by a lapse in the program. We must keep our commitment to these veterans which is why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Sen. Collins.”

Approximately 35,000 veterans nationwide received care through this authority in fiscal year 2016. The Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act is supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH).