I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2734 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 4, 2009 Mr. Perriello introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend section 1781 of title 38, United States Code, to provide medical care to family members of disabled veterans who serve as caregivers to such veterans.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Health Care for Family Caregivers Act of 2009.

2.

Medical care for family members of disabled veterans who serve as caregivers

(a)

In general

Section 1781 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (B)in paragraph (3), by inserting and at the end; and (C)by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph: (4)a family caregiver as described in subsection (e)(2), ; (2)in the third sentence of subsection (b), by striking dependent or survivor and inserting dependent, survivor, or family caregiver; and (3)by adding at the end the following new subsection: (e)(1)A family caregiver shall not be subject to deductibles, premiums, co-payments, cost sharing, or other fees for medical care provided to such caregiver under this section. (2)A family caregiver described in this paragraph is an individual who— (A)with respect to a veteran, meets the definition of the term family caregiver under section 1701(11); (B)is the primary family caregiver for such veteran and such veteran receives compensation under subsections (r) or (s) of section 1114; and (C)has no entitlement to care or services under a health-plan contract as defined under section 1725(f)(2) (determined, in the case of a health-plan contract as defined in subsection (f)(2)(B) or (f)(2)(C) of such section, without regard to any requirement or limitation relating to eligibility for care or services from any department or agency of the United States). . (b)

Definitions

Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (10)The term caregiver services means noninstitutional extended care (as used in section 1701(6) of this title), including homemaker and home health aid services. (11)The term family caregiver means an individual who— (A)is a member of the family (including parents, spouses, children, siblings, step-family members, and extended family members) of a disabled veteran; (B)provides caregiver services to such veteran for such disability; and (C)may or may not reside with such veteran. .