Currently, 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, the Dole Act includes a section of bipartisan legislation that would finally give more veterans a choice in where to receive their care. Under Subtitle B, Section 127 of the Dole Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is authorized to offer assisted living settings for aging and disabled veterans who would otherwise require more expensive nursing home care.
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.
Please take a moment to send a letter to thank your member of Congress for voting in support of the Dole Act!