Wichita Standard

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined forces with House and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs leaders Congressman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to present H.R. 8371, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This proposed legislation includes several bipartisan and bicameral initiatives aimed at reforming and enhancing the delivery of healthcare, benefits, and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families, and survivors.

Ranking Member Moran stated that "The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act will make critical changes to VA and provide life-saving support to veterans, caregivers, and survivors across the country." He further noted that this legislation would improve access to healthcare and benefits, expand long-term care programs, facilitate treatment for veterans grappling with mental health issues or addiction, and bolster support for veteran caregivers.

Chairman Tester echoed these sentiments saying that "By improving veterans’ access to the care they need, bolstering long-term care options and assistance for homeless veterans, strengthening life-saving mental health services, and increasing transparency and oversight of VA’s new Electronic Health Record program, this package is a common sense step towards delivering veterans and their families the kind of support they earned and deserve."

Chairman Bost emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the VA works in favor of those who have served their nation. He said that "The bipartisan bill from my friend from Arizona, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act... would expand economic opportunities for veterans... improve mental health support for veteran caregivers... hold VA accountable to the taxpayers... Each of these improvements will make a positive impact on veterans."

The proposed act has garnered support from numerous organizations including The American Legion (TAL), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and others.

The full text of the bill can be found here.