Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs leaders, Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), unveiled H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This legislation includes a number of bipartisan and bicameral proposals to reform and improve the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families, and their survivors. To learn more about the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, click here. Bill text can be found here.

The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act is supported by a growing list of organizations, including over 20 veteran service organizations, major homelessness prevention organizations, education training providers, elderly care advocacy organizations, private companies, and more. For a comprehensive list of supporters, click here.

Leading Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) released the following statements in support of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act:

"On behalf of our 1.5 million members, The American Legion is proud to support the Senator Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. These legislative improvements will initiate many important and needed changes in the delivery of care and services to our nation's veterans. We look forward to working with Congress to make the provisional programs in the legislation permanent,” said Chanin Nuntavong, Executive Director of the American Legion (TAL).

“DAV strongly supports the many vitally important provisions in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act to strengthen benefits and health care for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors. Notably, this bill would expand access to a variety of VA home- and community-based services to allow severely ill and aging veterans additional options to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible,” said Nancy Espinosa, National Commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV). “We hope that as the legislation moves forward the House and Senate will continue to make improvements and clarifications to help avoid unintended negative consequences. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees in bringing forth this legislation and look forward to working with them to address any remaining concerns and quickly enact this important bill into law.”

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) supports the policies of the comprehensive Senator Elizabeth Dole 21^st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act,” said Pat Murray, Director of VFW’s National Legislative Service. “Many provisions in this bill would improve care and benefits for veterans and survivors, and we believe some provisions would save lives. Certain components of this bill such as the expansions for caregivers are long overdue.”

“PVA strongly supports the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which incorporates important provisions of the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, the Expanding Veterans Options for Long Term Care Act, and protects access to the VA’s Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders (SCI/D) system of care. Currently, VA lacks the necessary infrastructure to provide long-term care to an ever-increasing number of aging and catastrophically disabled veterans. Increasing the amount VA can pay for home-based care, as well as allowing more veterans to receive treatment in their homes, is the most logical and expedient way to address this crisis. Testing VA's ability to pay for care in assisted living facilities also provides an additional option for disabled veterans and their families. We appreciate efforts to ensure that any implementation of a value-based care system within VA will not result in degradation of the SCI/D care that paralyzed veterans receive. We call on Congress to pass this legislation as quickly as possible,” said Carl Blake, CEO, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

“Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is pleased to support the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act,” said WWP Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Jose Ramos. “We thank members on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for their tireless work in forging a bill that includes priorities of both parties and sets a clear path for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to better serve wounded warriors. This legislation will improve veterans' access to critical Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs, increase options for long-term care, and provide enhanced support for our country’s unsung heroes – caregivers who dedicate their lives to looking after their veterans at home.  Passing this legislation is a top priority for WWP, and we call on Congress pass this life-changing bill and affirm our country’s promise to take care of our wounded warriors after service.”

“AMVETS supports key components of the long-awaited Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This veterans package has the potential to address many issues critical to veterans across the country, and we are hopeful that ongoing conversations surrounding its content lead to meaningful legislation that propels modernization, improves access to care, and helps better the lives of those who’ve served,” said AMVETS National Executive Director, Joe Chenelly.

“The benefits outlined in the bill are significant and reflect a sincere commitment to enhancing the well-being of our veterans,” said James McCormick, Director of Government Affairs for Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). “Initiatives such as the Veterans Community Care Program enhancements, focus on mental healthcare, expanded long-term care options, streamlined healthcare, education, and employment services, enhanced disability and memorial affairs services, improved support for homeless veterans, modernized electronic health record system and IT infrastructure, and enhanced VA oversight and investigations are all commendable and much need.”

“The Elizabeth Dole Foundation is proud to support The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. My team and I are grateful to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees for working with us and other advocates to craft this transformative legislation that bolsters support for veterans, caregivers, families, and survivors across almost every aspect of their lives. We are especially glad to see the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act included, which expands critical VA home- and community- based services, especially for veterans most in-need of care. We urge Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation quickly. Caregivers and veterans simply cannot wait any longer,” said Steve Schwab, CEO, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.

"TAPS is grateful to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs for introducing the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. In addition to enhancing the delivery of programs and services for our veterans and caregivers, this bill also eliminates archaic language defining surviving spouses, and expands eligibility for educational benefits to remarried and grey area surviving spouses. TAPS looks forward to its passage and implementation," said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

“MOAA supports the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This comprehensive legislation will improve VA’s ability to deliver critical benefits and services more expeditiously and effectively. We appreciate the leadership and engagement of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees to get this important legislation on the right path and MOAA urges House and Senate leaders to expedite passage. Doing so conveys a strong message of support and solidarity to our veterans, servicemembers, retirees, surviving family members and caregivers in and out of uniform,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret), President and CEO, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

“Student Veterans of America (SVA) supports H.R. 8371, Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which will bring improvements to VA and beyond to help the lives of veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. We strongly support many provisions aimed at expanding economic opportunities, most notably incorporating more data on veteran education, employment, and housing into suicide prevention efforts, providing GI Bill users with full monthly housing allowances during their last semester, helping veterans pursue tech careers, modernizing administrative tasks that will create electronic versions of the Certificate of Eligibility, and electronic fund transfers for foreign institutions of higher education,” said Jared S. Lyon, National President and Chief Executive Officer, Student Veterans of America (SVA). “SVA also backs the removal of the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship's expiration date for surviving spouses and the temporary eligibility expansion. We are pleased to see many of SVA’s policy priorities regarding economic opportunity and suicide prevention in this piece of legislation and appreciate all the effort put into its development.”

“The Reserve Organization of America (ROA) urges bi-partisan support for the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, particularly Sections 221 and 222,” said retired Army major general Jeffrey E. Phillips, Executive Director, Reserve Officers Association (ROA). “With the reserve components constituting close to 45 percent of the Total Force, USERRA is essential to military readiness. Unfortunately, legal voids have weakened its protections. Sections 221 and 222 strengthen USERRA by expanding access to injunctive relief, enabling courts to award increased liquidated damages, and incentivizing legitimate legal representation within the federal court of appeals.”

“This legislation reinforces policies to increase benefit utilization, advances economic opportunities, and honors the history of veterans we serve on a daily basis,” said Shawn Deadwiler, Chairman of the Black Veterans Empowerment Council (BVEC). “BVEC is proud to support this meaningful step towards addressing chronic issues faced by Black veterans - including housing and homelessness, accessing available resources and services, and tools to support a self-sufficient, healthy life.”

“The National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA), celebrates the introduction of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21^st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act”, said NASAA President, Franke Myers. “This important legislation provides critical resources and regulatory relief which will ensure a better future for all veterans and their families.”

“On behalf of the men and women who serve our nations heroes in the capacity of a School Certifying Official (SCO), representing two- and four-year public and private colleges, universities, and non-college degree programs nationwide, NAVPA supports the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, legislation containing important provisions to help institutions better serve their student veteran and military-connected populations,” said Dr. Jan Del Signore, President of the National Association of Veteran Program Administrators (NAVPA).

"The National PACE Association (NPA) applauds the introduction of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which will dramatically increase the ability of veterans to enroll in PACE through their VA benefits,” said Shawn Bloom, President and CEO of NPA. "We are pleased Congress has recognized that older veterans with VA health benefits should have the same access to home and community-based services, such as PACE, as other seniors." Bloom continued, "The Program of All-Inclusive Care (PACE) model of care has been shown by the VA to have significant value in terms of outcomes and costs. Veterans were able to remain living safely in their homes, where they wanted to be, leading to increased veteran and family satisfaction at a lower cost to the Department than a nursing home placement.” Bloom added, "Our nation has a duty to our veterans to provide them with the best care possible through their VA health benefits, and NPA commends the leadership of the House Veterans Affairs Committee for expanding access to this innovative model of care," said Bloom. "NPA’s member PACE organizations always have been proud to serve veterans and are eager to help more receive needed care in their preferred setting – their homes and communities.”

"NHPCO proudly supports the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which includes Gerald's Law, a provision that addresses a crucial issue for terminally ill veterans and their families. With the majority of veterans passing away outside VA facilities, it's vital to ensure equitable access to burial benefits, regardless of veterans' chosen end-of-life care setting," said Ben Marcantonio, Interim CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. "Hospice care should be a fundamental right for every American who desires it. Let's honor our nation’s heroes by supporting broad access to comfort and choice and relief from financial concerns when it matters most."

“Veteran suicides and overdose deaths continue to rise year over year. Providing immediate access to inpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment for veterans in crisis is a life and death priority. For too long, America’s most vulnerable veterans—those struggling with severe mental health and substance use disorders—face unacceptable wait times while seeking treatment, often leading to tragic outcomes. I’ve seen this first-hand too many times, and it’s heartbreaking,” said Tom Sauer, Founder & CEO, Miramar Health. “The Dole Act addresses this problem by requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to screen veterans in crisis within 48 hours, admitting those requiring priority access to inpatient treatment within an additional 48 hours after screening. This dramatic and long overdue change will save veterans’ lives within days of implementation. I commend both House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees and the authors of the Dole Act for their commitment to improving treatment access for veterans in crisis. I look forward to working with VA and Congress on the successful implementation of this law.”

Leading veteran homelessness prevention providers released the following statements in support of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act:

“The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act will provide vital benefits for our nation’s veterans and specifically strengthen the VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program. The enhanced GPD reimbursement levels will help ensure sustainable support for the most vulnerable and at-risk veterans in the community. The NECHV greatly appreciates the leadership of Chairman Bost and requests the support entire House of Representatives in passing this essential and forwarding to the Senate,” said Andy McCawley, President and CEO of the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV).

"The rising cost of care and shelter has made it difficult for those of us committed to ending homelessness among veterans," said Steve Peck, C.E.O. of U.S.VETS.  "We have already demonstrated that the reforms to the Grant Per Diem program in this bill will work, and I am grateful that Congressional leadership is renewing its commitment to provide the resources necessary to serve the men and women who have sacrificed for our nation."

“NCHV supports the intent of the homeless veteran provisions within H.R. 8371, the ‘Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.’ Many Americans cannot afford the rent and veterans among them should have access to a crisis response system that is funded adequately to meet their needs. We ask that Congress make every effort to provide relief whether through this legislation, consideration of S. 1436, the ‘CHARGE Act,’ or the House passed H.R. 3848, the ‘Home Act.’ NCHV appreciates legislative efforts to provide sufficient resources to make veteran homelessness rare, brief, and one-time only, regardless of the underlying legislative vehicle that carries them,” said Kathryn Monet, Chief Executive Officer of the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans (NCHV).

“We have served veterans in rural and remote communities for 50 years, and we know that asking them to come to us doesn't work.  We have to go to them.  That takes resources up front, but it ultimately improves outcomes for this population that is so often overlooked and forgotten," said Chris Johnson, C.E.O. of Nation's Finest. Chris continued, "this legislation will help housing providers in high cost areas--both urban and rural--maintain our high level service for veterans across the nation."

Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) training providers released the following statements in support of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act:

“This legislation provides a transformational way for veterans seeking to transition into the tech industry," said Nancy Gale, Principal of TLG Learning and TLG IT Careers. "By providing access to accelerated IT training and certification programs developed in conjunction with major employers, TLG Learning assists veterans to develop cuttingedge, high demand skills, setting them up for immediate employment and long-term career success. In the most recent VET TEC pilot program, TLG Learning placed 279 veterans and transitioning service members in IT careers with an average salary of $85,211.”

“This legislation addresses the deepening talent shortages in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence by helping veterans transition into these emerging tech fields,” said Sravan Ankaraju, President and CEO of Divergence Academy. “The aim is to facilitate their entry into the workforce and support them in building sustainable, rewarding careers”.

"As the School Director of Skill Distillery, I firmly believe in the transformative power of education, especially for our veterans. Continuing the VET TEC program allows us to provide unparalleled opportunities for veterans to transition into rewarding careers in the tech industry. Our comprehensive training program not only equips veterans with in-demand skills but also fosters a supportive community where they can thrive and succeed. At Skill Distillery, we're committed to empowering veterans to unlock their full potential and build bright futures in technology,” said Briana Young, School Director of Skill Distillery.

“VET TEC legislation opened the door for transition veterans to fill the highly needed positions within the tech industry over the past 5 years of the pilot program,” said executive leadership from Intellectual Point. “By continuing to provide access to our popular program, we can continue to serve the growing demand in the upcoming high tech industry and provide those who have served our country an opportunity to succeed in a rewarding high-tech career. These skills support the government which they served by reintroducing them to the needs we see to protect our technical infrastructure on many levels and give these veterans continued purpose and foreseeable goals in a needed market space.”

“Prime is committed to providing high-quality, accelerated training programs that equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in various tech roles, such as web development, data science, cybersecurity, and more. By making these programs accessible to veterans through VET TEC, we can empower them to pursue rewarding careers that leverage their unique experiences and capabilities,” said Mark Hurlburt, President and Co-founder of Prime Digital Academy.

“The VET TEC Working Group includes VA approved training providers who are committed to providing high-quality accelerated training programs that equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in various tech roles, such as web development, data science, cybersecurity, and more,” said Alicia Boddy, Founder of the VET TEC Working Group. “By making these programs accessible to veterans through VET TEC, we can empower them to pursue rewarding careers that leverage their unique experiences and capabilities.”

“We support veterans in their mission to acquire in-demand high tech skills and knowledge and transition to new rewarding careers. The Veteran’s Affairs High Technology program (VET-TEC) legislation contained in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act is integral to supporting veterans as they prepare themselves to pursue careers in technology and leverage their unique experiences and abilities,” said Jaime Matyas, CEO of Galvanize, Inc.

“The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21^st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act will enable our Veterans to access their educational benefits to enroll in programs like Northwest Lineman College’s Electric Lineworker Program.  Graduates will be highly qualified for initial employment, they will be highly successful in completing future training programs, and they will be prepared to pursue a long and rewarding career building America’s T&D infrastructure,” said Mike Daniels, President of Northwest Lineman College.

“The National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) applauds the introduction of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21^st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. The Dole Act would make federal funding available for the first time to local governmental veteran service officers, helping to provide veterans assistance in their own local communities for navigating the VA benefit landscape. The Dole Act also helps to deliver on the promises of the MISSION Act and empowers VA providers and veterans to be in control of their healthcare decisions,” said Michael McLaughlin, Legislative Director of NACVSO.