[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 215 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1182-E1183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRANSPARENCY AND EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR VETERAN 
                             CAREGIVERS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2020

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Judiciary 
Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, I rise in strong support 
of S. 2216, the ``Transparency and Effective Accountability Measures 
for Veteran Caregivers Act,'' (Team Act), which strengthens 
transparency and communication for veterans and caregivers 
participating in the program.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting and proper that the VA provides stipends 
and support to caregivers for wounded veterans.
  To be eligible for this program, veterans must have sustained or 
aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or after September 
11, 2001 and need personal care services for supervision and protection 
to help them with daily living activities.
  Caregivers can include family members or other members of the 
veteran's support group that regularly help veterans recovering from 
injuries.
  Unfortunately, according to reports, caregivers and veterans have 
been arbitrarily discharged or downgraded from the program, with 
benefits subsequently revoked or reduced--often with little explanation 
or time to appeal the decision.
  In fact, the VA Office of the Inspector General reported in 2018 that 
VA failed to adequately manage the caregiver program and recommended 
improvements and reforms.
  The TEAM Veteran Caregivers Act takes a number of steps to improve 
the program.
  First, the legislation ensures that all caregivers are included in 
the veterans' medical records.
  Currently, only certain caregivers participating in the Caregiver 
Support Program are included in veterans' medical records.
  Including all caregivers in medical records strengthens 
communications between VA and caregivers and recognizes them as part of 
the clinical team.
  Second, the legislation requires a minimum standard of information in 
downgrade notification letters in that it requires VA to provide an 
explanation of downgrade or termination decisions.
  Caregivers have reported that their decision letters are sometimes 
missing important information that would be necessary to file an 
appeal.
  Finally, the legislation extends benefits after certain veterans are 
deemed ineligible for the program.
  Caregivers have reported being dropped shortly after receiving a 
termination letter without adequate time to appeal or make new 
accommodations.
  This codifies a goal of maintaining care for an extended period of 
150 days in certain cases where a veteran is terminated from the 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is strongly endorsed by Disabled 
American Veterans (DAV), a charitable organization with the singular 
focus and mission of empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives 
with respect and dignity.

[[Page E1183]]

  In supporting the TEAM Veterans Caregivers Act, DAV states:

       ``Family caregivers are the unsung heroes for thousands of 
     severely injured veterans, as they not only perform complex 
     medical and personal care tasks but are often the lifeline of 
     many ill and injured veterans to lead dignified and 
     independent lives. However, mismanagement of the VA's Program 
     of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers has, in far 
     too many instances, caused the improper disruption or 
     termination of benefits family caregivers need to support 
     their veteran.''

  I support this bipartisan legislation because it provides needed 
support for veterans who can least afford to be without it, those 
disabled in connection with their service to our country.
  I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass S. 2216, the TEAM 
Veteran Caregivers Act.

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