Caregiver Bill Update

[Berta]

"The caregiver program application will be available Monday at www.caregiver.va.gov. Additionally, caregiver support coordinators are available at each VA medical center, and by calling a toll-free number, 1-877-222 VETS (8387). Coordinators can help with the application process, VA officials said.

The fight over eligibility

Tuesday’s announcement appears to bring an end to a standoff between Congress and VA. The caregiver benefits program was supposed to begin Jan. 30 but has been delayed because of disagreements about eligibility and congressional intent.

Earlier this year, VA proposed beginning the program with strict eligibility rules that would have made only about 850 families eligible for care. One of the big restrictions was that eligibility would have been provided only in cases where a veteran would be institutionalized without a full-time caregiver.

That restrict has been dropped, and VA now estimates more than 3,500 families will be eligible for a program that will cost $777 million over 10 years."

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/05/military-apply-now-for-caregivers-benefits-050311w/

[Pete53]

If it costs 777 million how much will it save. Putting veterans in an institution costs much more than what the VA would pay family to keep a Vet in their home.

Sometimes I wonder if the idiots have any sense at all?

[john999]

If the people of the USA were not ashamed to just let veterans die in the street no one would get any care. The VA would just turn us all away based on $$$$. According to their logic it is cheaper to just let us all die. It makes perfect sense from their point of view.