[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 81 (Monday, May 23, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H2912-H2913]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IMPROVING ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2460) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
improve the provision of adult day health care services for veterans.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2460

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. PROVISION OF ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR 
                   VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1745 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d)(1) The Secretary shall enter into an agreement under 
     section 1720(c)(1) of this title or a contract with each 
     State home for payment by the Secretary for adult day health 
     care provided to a veteran who is eligible for, but does not 
     receive, nursing home care pursuant to subsection (a).
       ``(2) Payment under each agreement or contract between the 
     Secretary and a State home under paragraph (1) for each 
     veteran who receives care under such paragraph shall be made 
     at a rate that is equal to 65 percent of the payment that the 
     Secretary would pay to the State home pursuant to subsection 
     (a)(2) if the veteran received nursing home care under 
     subsection (a) rather than under paragraph (1) of this 
     subsection.
       ``(3) Payment by the Secretary under paragraph (1) to a 
     State home for adult day health care provided to a veteran 
     described in that paragraph constitutes payment in full to 
     the State home for such care furnished to that veteran.''; 
     and
       (2) in the heading, by inserting ``, adult day health 
     care,'' after ``home care''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking 
     the item relating to section 1745 and inserting the following 
     new item:

``1745. Nursing home care, adult day health care, and medications for 
              veterans with service-connected disabilities.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Brown) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of H.R. 2460. The bill is 
sponsored by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin), a member of the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the Subcommittee on Economic 
Opportunity, and the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial 
Affairs. I am grateful to him for sponsoring this piece of legislation.
  This bill actually directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to 
enter into an agreement or a contract with State

[[Page H2913]]

veterans homes to pay for adult day health care for a veteran eligible 
for, but not receiving, nursing home care.
  It would also stipulate that payment under each agreement or contract 
between the VA and a State home cover the cost of adult day care for 
eligible veterans at a rate equal to 65 percent of the payment that the 
VA would otherwise pay to the State home if the veteran were receiving 
nursing home care.
  Adult day health care programs provide veterans in need of skilled 
services, case management, or assistance with activities of daily 
living with valuable social activities, peer support, medical 
monitoring, companionship, and recreation during the day and provide 
caregivers with needed respite.
  However, according to the National Association of State Veterans 
Homes, veterans face barriers accessing adult health care programs each 
day due to costs. This bill would help address those cost concerns and 
increase the degree of access for veterans who are eligible for VA-paid 
nursing home care due to their 70 percent or higher service-connected 
rating.
  As the veteran population ages, Mr. Speaker, it is increasingly 
important that the VA provide a wide variety of geriatric and long-term 
care services and supports, and adult day health care programs can 
serve as an important component of that.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  According to the VA, adult day health care is a program which 
veterans can go to during the day for social activities, peer support, 
companionship, and recreation.
  The program is for veterans who need skilled services, case 
management, and help with activities of daily living. Examples include 
helping with bathing, dressing, fixing meals, or taking medication.
  This program is also for veterans who are isolated or their caregiver 
is experiencing burdens. Adult day health care can be used in 
combination with other home and community-based services.
  Health services such as care from nurses, therapists, social workers, 
and others may also be available. Adult day health care can provide 
respite care for a family caregiver and also help veterans and their 
caregivers gain skills to manage the veteran's care at home.
  This legislation would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs 
to enter into agreement with State veterans homes to provide adult 
health care for a veteran who is eligible for but does not receive 
nursing home care.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and urge its passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from the First District of New York (Mr. 
Zeldin), the sponsor of this piece of legislation.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 
2460, which would expand disabled veterans' access to adult day health 
care, a daily program for disabled veterans who need extra assistance 
and special attention in their day-to-day lives. Those veterans who are 
70 percent or more disabled from a service-connected injury often 
require significant assistance from others in order to carry out basic 
everyday tasks.
  Despite various care options for veterans, their choices are often 
limited and can come at a great expense. One such program that is 
currently available is adult day health care. This program provides 
disabled veterans and their families with a high-quality alternative to 
nursing home care, providing quality outpatient services for those 
suffering from debilitating illnesses or disabilities.
  These programs provide a range of services from daily activities such 
as bathing to full medical services like physical therapy. The focus of 
the program is on improving disabled veterans' quality of life through 
an individualized plan specific to their needs while still allowing 
them to maintain their independence.
  Adult day health care programs don't only benefit the veteran, they 
also benefit the family members and caregivers as well. This model 
allows caregivers to tend to their day-to-day activities without 
worrying about the well-being of their spouse, child, or friend, 
allowing the veteran to lead a much more fulfilling life, while keeping 
families together and strong.
  Adult day health care, however, is only currently offered at three 
facilities in the entire country. My district is fortunate to have one 
of these facilities, the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony 
Brook, New York, but this program could easily be offered at any of the 
153 State veterans homes across the country.
  Since the Department of Veterans Affairs does not currently cover the 
cost of participation in this program, the expense must be paid out of 
pocket by the veteran and their family, which significantly limits the 
number of veterans who can enroll.
  My bill, H.R. 2460, would ensure that 70 percent or more service-
connected disabled veterans are able to receive adult day health care 
at no cost to the veteran and their family by defining the program as a 
reimbursable treatment option through the VA. This would expand this 
great option of care for our veterans.
  Currently, 52 Republicans and Democrats in this Chamber have signed 
on as cosponsors of this bill. I would like to thank the chairman of 
the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Jeff Miller, for his 
leadership as chairman of the committee and for recognizing the urgency 
in passing this bill. Myself, the committee, many Members of this 
Congress, his constituents, and this country will miss him following 
his service this year.
  I would also like to thank House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for 
having this bill placed on the calendar for today.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 2460.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I, too, ask all my colleagues to 
support this piece of legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2460.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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