This marked a pivotal moment in enhancing benefits and healthcare for veterans, caregivers, and their families. Spearheaded by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), this bipartisan legislation addresses gaps in veterans’ services, promising improvements in healthcare, disability benefits, and support systems.
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Chairman Mike Bost (R-III) gave this speech after the House passed Rep. Ciscomani’s landmark veterans’ package, H.R. 8371, The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, with overwhelming bipartisan support:
“For nearly two years we have been listening to the veteran community to find the gaps within VA’s services to build a VA that meets the needs of today’s community and puts veterans – not government bureaucracy – at the center of the system. The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act will help to meet that mission head-on,” said Chairman Bost. “I want to thank my friend from Arizona, Rep. Ciscomani, for his leadership on this bipartisan veterans’ package which would grow job opportunities for veterans, improve the VA community care program to protect veterans’ healthcare choice, cut through the red tape for disability benefits, get veterans out of homelessness, and so much more. The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act would also expand elderly care options for aging veterans and improve mental health care access for veteran caregivers – our nation’s Hidden Heroes – in honor of Senator Elizabeth Dole, this bills namesake,” Chairman Bost continued. “Just two weeks ago, the American people voted and gave Congress a mandate to get the government working again and fix the problems that families talk about around their kitchen tables. House Republicans passed this bipartisan bill out of the House tonight to begin that work for veterans and their families.”
Highlights of H.R. 8371
- Enhanced healthcare access: The act expands the Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program, allowing veterans greater flexibility in choosing healthcare providers. This aims to reduce bureaucratic barriers and improve healthcare outcomes by enabling personalized care.
- Support for caregivers: Named in honor of Senator Elizabeth Dole, an advocate for caregivers, the legislation emphasizes mental health support, respite care, and expanded services for caregivers, particularly those aiding aging or disabled veterans.
- Focus on aging in place: Veterans will have better access to home- and community-based services, such as home health aides, enabling them to remain in their communities and avoid costly institutional care.
- Economic opportunities: H.R. 8371 seeks to improve employment prospects for veterans through initiatives like the Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act. These measures aim to simplify licensing processes and increase access to vocational training.
- Addressing veteran homelessness: With nearly 300,000 veterans interacting with homelessness programs annually, the act strengthens the crisis response system and allocates resources to make veteran homelessness rare and brief.
- Improved disability benefits processing: The legislation introduces measures to streamline disability benefits, ensuring veterans receive timely and accurate compensation.
- Expanded burial and memorial benefits: It includes provisions to enhance burial benefits and modernize cemeteries, reflecting respect and gratitude for veterans’ sacrifices.
Bipartisan support and advocacy
The legislation garnered widespread support, with a 389-9 vote reflecting a rare bipartisan consensus. Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) emphasized the act’s role in putting veterans first: “This bill addresses gaps in economic opportunity, healthcare, and caregiver support, ensuring that veterans and their families receive the benefits they’ve earned.”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) praised the act’s comprehensive approach to reforming VA services while leading veterans’ organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) hailed its potential to save lives and improve service delivery.
What this means for veterans and families
For veterans, H.R. 8371 represents a renewed commitment to honoring their service. Caregivers and families also stand to benefit significantly from expanded mental health services, educational support, and economic opportunities. The legislation aligns with a broader national effort to address long-standing gaps in veterans’ care and benefits.
This landmark act is not just a policy milestone—it’s a promise to improve lives, preserve dignity, and ensure a brighter future for those who served.
