Veterans with long-term care (LTC) needs effectively do not have a choice in where to receive their care. For eligible veterans, the VA will cover their costs in a nursing home at more than $120,000 per year. But if they prefer a less institutional setting--like assisted living--that provides a residential environment for seniors who need help with daily tasks like bathing, eating, and toileting, they must pay these costs out-of-pocket.

Thankfully, bipartisan legislation has been introduced that would finally give more veterans a choice in where to receive their care. H.R. 1815 and S. 495 propose creating a three-year pilot program for eligible veterans to be able to choose to receive assisted living care paid for by the VA.

Importantly, the VA reported to Congress that allowing veterans to choose assisted living could save the VA $69,101 per assisted living placement per year. This is increasingly important as Veterans who have mandatory eligibility for nursing home care are expected to increase by approximately 535% over the next 20 years, and as nursing coverage increasingly overburdens VA budgets.

Tell Congress to support these important bills!