House Subcommittee Approves Bill To End Hospice Copayments For Veterans

Main Category: Veterans / Ex-Servicemen
Also Included In: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 03 Jul 2007 - 17:00 PDT

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The House Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee on Thursday approved by voice vote a bill (HR 2623) that would eliminate copayments for veterans' hospice care, CQ Today reports. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), would waive copays for veterans receiving hospice care at home or at a facility other than a Veterans Affairs Department nursing home. The full committee will consider the bill on July 11.

Also on Thursday, the subcommittee delayed consideration of a "broader health measure" (HR 2874), sponsored by subcommittee Chair Michael Michaud (D-Maine), that would authorize several new programs for homeless veterans and those with mental health problems, including a grant program for therapeutic readjustment services and a peer support program designed to help National Guard and Reserve veterans, according to CQ Today. The bill also would provide $3 million to transport veterans living in rural areas to nearby VA health care facilities.

Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.) "expressed concern that some wording in the bill was too vague and could lead the VA to provide grant funding for frivolous programs," CQ Today reports. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) said the bill would eliminate a program that provides per diem payments to organizations that provide care for homeless veterans and questioned the mental health provisions of the legislation. Michaud said the subcommittee likely would consider a revised version of the bill on July 10 (Yoest, CQ Today, 6/28).

Related Broadcast Coverage
NPR's "All Things Considered" on Thursday reported on Vet Centers, walk-in mental health clinics for veterans. The segment includes comments from Seattle Vet Center Director Ron Boxmeyer, Seattle Vet Center readjustment counselor Mike Colson and veterans (Shapiro, "All Things Considered," NPR, 6/29). Audio of the segment is available online.

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