[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1744-S1745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Ms. Collins, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
        Bennet, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Brown, Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
        Franken, Mr. King, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Sanders, Mrs. 
        Shaheen, Mr. Tester, Mr. Warner, and Ms. Cantwell):
  S. 591. A bill to expand eligibility for the program of comprehensive 
assistance for family caregivers of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
to expand benefits available to participants under such program, to 
enhance special compensation for members of the uniformed services who 
require assistance in everyday life, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I am once again delighted to join my 
colleague, Senator Patty Murray, to introduce the Military and Veteran 
Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2017. Our bill would greatly 
expand eligibility for VA caregiver support services by including 
veterans from all eras, allow veterans to transfer their post 9/11 GI 
bill benefits to their dependents, expand eligibility for the VA 
caregivers program to include a wider range of injuries that may have 
previously gone unrecognized, and provide crucial support for our 
Nation's caregivers themselves.
  In 2014, my former colleague and friend, Senator Elizabeth Dole, 
commissioned a study by the RAND Corporation to learn more about the 
military caregiver population and explore common issues experienced by 
America's caregivers. The experts at RAND found that those caring for 
our servicemembers and veterans provide nearly $14 billion worth of 
unpaid services every year--an incredible cost that would otherwise be 
passed on to the Nation.
  There are more than 5.5 million military caregivers in the United 
States, and of those, 1.1 million are caring for post-9/11 veterans. 
These are spouses, parents, children, and other loved ones who have 
voluntarily put their lives on hold to provide our returning 
servicemembers with a trusted continuum of care that could not be 
replicated without them. Many of them will provide this care for years, 
if not decades, to come.
  Tragically, caring for those suffering from the scars of war takes an 
enormous toll. According to the RAND study, military caregivers face 
increased instances of mental and physical health problems, chronic 
absenteeism from work, deteriorating personal relationships, legal and 
financial troubles, and feelings of isolation. These difficulties are 
often more pronounced for post-9/11 military caregivers.
  Our Nation owes America's veterans our deepest gratitude. Their 
sacrifices are often very visible. In many cases our veterans have 
earned medals or awards for their bravery that they can wear proudly on 
their chest. But our military and veteran caregivers truly are hidden 
heroes, serving alongside our veterans to provide the love, care, and 
support they need. Despite their enormous sacrifice, these hidden 
heroes often do not receive the awards and admiration. That does not 
mean that they don't deserve it. We must honor our commitment to 
veterans by answering the call to better support those caring for our 
wounded, ill, and injured warriors.
  Our legislation would help strengthen the services offered to 
caregivers.

[[Page S1745]]

The Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act is an 
important step in helping those who have assumed the mantle of caring 
for the men and women who have served our Nation so honorably. I urge 
all of my colleagues to join Senator Murray and me in honoring and 
supporting our Nation's military caregivers.
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