Press Releases

Today, Chairman Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) released the following statements after the House passed the Senate’s companion to Rep. Zeldin’s legislation to expand access to adult day health care.

“Our country made a promise to care for the men and women who sacrificed for our freedoms,” said Roe. “I’m proud this legislation would expand access to adult day health care for veterans who qualify for, but are not currently utilizing, nursing home care, and would provide America’s heroes with companionship and care as they age. I’m grateful for Rep. Zeldin’s leadership on this important legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law.”

“This is an important piece of legislation that provides a valuable and necessary service to our nation’s veterans, and I am pleased to announce this bill now heads to the President’s desk,” said Zeldin. “By expanding access to Adult Day Health Care programs, we can ensure that all veterans receive the best and most efficient outpatient services that provide each veteran with the assistance and special attention they need, while still allowing them to maintain their independence. This important legislation will expand care for disabled veterans on Long Island and across our country, allowing each veteran to lead a much more fulfilling life, while keeping families together and strong. Expanding Adult Day Health Care for our disabled veterans is a top priority, and I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate, especially Senator Orrin Hatch and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Phil Roe, for passing this commonsense legislation and look forward to the President signing it into law.”

The State Veterans Home Adult Day Health Care Improvement Act of 2017

S. 324 is similar to H.R. 1005 – Rep. Zeldin’s bill that passed the House on a voice vote on May 23, 2017 – and would direct VA to enter into an agreement or a contract with state veterans homes to pay for medical supervision model adult day health care for a veteran eligible for, but not receiving, nursing home care. This bill requires the Secretary to establish a payment rate through regulations but until that rate is published stipulates that payment under each agreement or contract between VA and a state home must equal 65% of the payment that VA would otherwise pay to the state home if the veteran were receiving nursing home care. Click here for more information. Read the bill here.