WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced today that his bill H.R. 7158, the Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill provides America’s Veterans with additional flexibility in exercising their health benefits, authorizing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover the cost of medical foster homes for Veterans who are otherwise eligible for nursing home care. These changes ensure that Veterans can receive long-term care in a more independent, non-institutionalized setting while also maintaining a higher quality of life.
The VA does not currently cover the cost of medical foster homes. Instead, these Veterans must pay for medical foster home services out of pocket or through private insurance. Costs associated with medical foster home services range between $1,500 – $3,000 a month, which is significantly lower than the more than $7,000 a month that the VA would otherwise pay at a traditional nursing home.
The Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act is also supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“We have been working on our legislation to improve long-term Veterans care since coming to Congress. My bill helps Veterans who have suffered the most debilitating service-related injuries and illnesses. Our intent is to provide greater flexibility for Veterans to exercise the benefits they have righteously earned. I am glad to see my bill pass the House with strong bipartisan support, and I am hopeful the Senate will move quickly to advance our legislation.”
