Help for caregivers of veterans

16 years ago

    Our veterans make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country. But few people know how much their families give up to care for them when they return home and are severely wounded. I continue to hear from family members who give up their jobs, delay their schooling, or make other significant life-changing sacrifices in order to be by their loved one’s side.
    Surprisingly, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not collect data on caregivers of veterans. As such, the actual number of family members who provide care for veterans is unknown. However, a July 2007 report released by the Dole-Shalala Commission found that of the 1,730 injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans surveyed, about 21 percent of active duty, 15 percent of the reserve, and 24 percent of retired/separated servicemembers had friends or family who gave up a job to be a caregiver.
    To address the lack of information regarding caregivers of veterans, on June 4, 2009, I convened a House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee hearing to explore the immediate needs of these individuals. During the hearing, I heard from family members who put their own lives on hold in order to care for a loved one wounded in service to our country.
    One of the witnesses at the hearing highlighted the story of her brother who was severely injured by an IED attack in Iraq. He survived the attack, but now requires full time assistance. This heroic soldier’s father gave up his job and exhausted his retirement savings to care for his wounded son.
    This is just one example of what goes on everyday in our country. But it shouldn’t be this way.
    Stories like the one described above raise questions about VA’s current efforts to help caregivers and whether sufficient supportive services are in place. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of coordination of caregiver benefits when the service member transitions to veteran status. Supportive services from the Department of Defense, which family caregivers may have depended on during military service, are suddenly discontinued when the wounded warrior transitions to the VA system.
    After the hearing on June 4th, I introduced the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act (CARE Act), which would establish a caregiver program to help family and non-family members who provide care for disabled, ill, or injured veterans.
    The caregiver program would provide education sessions for improved care giving, counseling, and respite care to the family caregiver, or another individual designated by the veteran.
    The CARE Act would also direct the VA to provide a financial stipend and medical care to eligible primary family caregivers of certain veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would also reimburse caregivers for travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for accompanying the veteran to medical appointments.
    In addition to providing direct support to the caregivers, the CARE Act calls on the VA to develop a plan for providing enduring support services for caregivers. It would also require the VA to conduct a survey on caregivers at least once every three years so that collected information will help identify gaps and potential ways to further improve support services and benefits for caregivers.
    I am pleased to report that the House of Representatives passed the CARE Act on July 27th. While I have urged the Senate to act quickly on the bill, House passage of the CARE Act means that this help is one step closer to becoming a reality.
By U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud
(D-Maine)