[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19401-19405]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT ACT

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3155) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide 
certain caregivers of veterans with training, support, and medical 
care, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3155

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Caregiver Assistance and 
     Resource Enhancement Act''.

     SEC. 2. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

       (a) 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 paragraph (6)).
       ``(11) The term `caregiver' means an individual who--
       ``(A) with respect to a disabled veteran who is enrolled in 
     the health care system established under section 1705(a) of 
     this title, provides caregiver services to such veteran for 
     such disability; and
       ``(B) is not a member of the family (including parents, 
     spouses, children, siblings, step-family members, and 
     extended family members) of such veteran.
       ``(12) The term `family caregiver' means an individual 
     who--
       ``(A) with respect to a disabled veteran who is enrolled in 
     the health care system established under section 1705(a) of 
     this title, provides caregiver services to such veteran for 
     such disability;
       ``(B) is a member of the family (including parents, 
     spouses, children, siblings, step-family members, and 
     extended family members) of such veteran; and
       ``(C) may or may not reside with such veteran.''.
       (b) Support Services.--
       (1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 1720G. Support services for caregivers and family 
       caregivers

       ``(a) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary shall 
     develop and carry out a program for caregivers and family 
     caregivers that includes the following:
       ``(1) The educational sessions, stipends, and access to 
     support services provided under this section.
       ``(2) Counseling and other services provided under section 
     1782 of this title.
       ``(3) Respite care provided under section 1720B of this 
     title.
       ``(4) With respect to family caregivers, medical care 
     provided under section 1781(e) of this title.
       ``(5) Travel expenses provided under section 111(e) of this 
     title.
       ``(b) Educational Sessions.--(1) The Secretary shall make 
     available educational sessions for caregivers, family 
     caregivers, and individuals described in paragraph (2). Such 
     educational sessions shall--
       ``(A) be made available both in person and on an Internet 
     website;
       ``(B) incorporate available technology, including 
     telehealth technology to the extent practicable; and
       ``(C) teach techniques, strategies, and skills for caring 
     for a disabled veteran, including, at a minimum, a veteran 
     who--
       ``(i) was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
     or Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
       ``(ii) has post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic 
     brain injury, or other severe injury or illness.
       ``(2) Individuals described in this paragraph are 
     individuals who provide caregivers and family caregivers with 
     support under this chapter or through an aging network (as 
     defined in section 102(5) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 
     (42 U.S.C. 3002(5)), including--
       ``(A) respite care providers;
       ``(B) nursing care providers; and
       ``(C) counselors.
       ``(c) Stipends.--(1) The Secretary shall provide monthly 
     stipends to eligible family caregivers described in paragraph 
     (2).
       ``(2) An eligible family caregiver described in this 
     paragraph is a family caregiver who--
       ``(A) provides caregiver services to a veteran who--
       ``(i) was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
     or Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
       ``(ii) for purposes of this subsection, is determined by 
     the Secretary--

[[Page 19402]]

       ``(I) to have a service-connected disability or illness 
     that is severe;
       ``(II) to be in need of caregiver services, such that 
     without such services, the veteran would require 
     hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential 
     institutional care; and
       ``(III) based on an examination by a physician employed by 
     the Department (or, in areas where no such physician is 
     available, by a physician carrying out such function under a 
     contract or fee arrangement), to be unable to carry out the 
     activities (including instrumental activities) of daily 
     living;
       ``(B) with respect to such veteran, meets the definition of 
     the term `family caregiver' under section 1701(12) of this 
     title;
       ``(C) is designated by such veteran as the primary family 
     caregiver for such veteran; and
       ``(D) is not--
       ``(i) employed by a home health care agency to provide such 
     caregiver services; or
       ``(ii) otherwise receiving payment for such services.
       ``(3) The authority of the Secretary to provide a stipend 
     to an eligible family caregiver under this subsection shall 
     expire on October 1, 2012.
       ``(d) Access to Support Services.--The Secretary shall 
     provide caregivers and family caregivers with information 
     concerning public, private, and non-profit agencies that 
     offer support to caregivers. In providing such information, 
     the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) collaborate with the Assistant Secretary for Aging of 
     the Department of Health and Human Services in order to 
     provide caregivers and family caregivers access to aging and 
     disability resource centers under the Administration on Aging 
     of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
       ``(2) include on an Internet website that is dedicated to 
     caregivers and family caregivers--
       ``(A) a directory of services available for caregivers and 
     family caregivers at the county level; and
       ``(B) tools that provide caregivers and family caregivers 
     with the ability to interact with each other for the purpose 
     of fostering peer support and creating support networks.
       ``(e) Information and Outreach.--(1) The Secretary shall 
     conduct outreach to inform disabled veterans and the families 
     of such veterans of the following:
       ``(A) Medical care, educational sessions, stipends, and 
     other services available for caregivers and family caregivers 
     under this chapter.
       ``(B) The ability of a family caregiver to be trained and 
     certified by a home health care agency in order to be paid by 
     such agency for providing caregiver services.
       ``(2) Outreach under this subsection shall include, at a 
     minimum, the following:
       ``(A) Public service announcements.
       ``(B) Brochures and pamphlets.
       ``(C) Full use of Internet-based outreach methods, 
     including such methods designed specifically for veterans and 
     the families of such veterans who reside in rural areas.
       ``(3) With respect to a Department employee providing case 
     management services (as defined in section 1720C(b)(2) of 
     this title) to a disabled veteran, the Secretary shall ensure 
     that such employee provides a caregiver or family caregiver 
     of such veteran with information on the services described in 
     subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting after the item related to section 1720F 
     the following new item:
       ``1720G. Support services for caregivers and family 
           caregivers.''.
       (c) Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate a plan for carrying out section 1720G of title 38, 
     United States Code, as added by subsection (b) of this 
     section.
       (d) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which the plan is submitted under subsection (c), and 
     annually thereafter for the following five years, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Veterans' Affairs of the Senate a report describing the 
     implementation of the plan.

     SEC. 3. COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS 
                   AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 1782 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended--
       (1) in the section heading, by adding at the end the 
     following: ``, caregivers, and family caregivers''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; or'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraph (2):
       ``(2) a caregiver or family caregiver of a veteran; or''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended by striking the item relating to section 1782 and 
     inserting the following new item:
       ``1782. Counseling, training, and mental health services 
           for immediate family members, caregivers, and family 
           caregivers.''.

     SEC. 4. RESPITE CARE TO ASSIST FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

       Section 1720B of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``title.'' and inserting 
     ``title or who receives care from a family caregiver.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d) In furnishing respite care services under this 
     section, the Secretary shall ensure that such services--
       ``(1) fulfill the needs of the veteran receiving care 
     (including 24-hour in-home respite care); and
       ``(2) are appropriate for the veteran with respect to the 
     age of the veteran.''.

     SEC. 5. MEDICAL CARE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

       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) in accordance with subsection (e), a family 
     caregiver,'';
       (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) The Secretary shall provide medical care to a 
     family caregiver under this section if the Secretary 
     determines that the family caregiver is not entitled to care 
     or services under a health-plan contract as defined under 
     section 1725(f)(2) of this title (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).
       ``(2) In this subsection, a family caregiver is an 
     individual who--
       ``(A) provides caregiver services to a veteran who--
       ``(i) was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
     or Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
       ``(ii) for purposes of this subsection, is determined by 
     the Secretary--
       ``(I) to have a service-connected disability or illness 
     that is severe;
       ``(II) to be in need of caregiver services, such that 
     without such services, the veteran would require 
     hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential 
     institutional care; and
       ``(III) based on an examination by a physician employed by 
     the Department (or, in areas where no such physician is 
     available, by a physician carrying out such function under a 
     contract or fee arrangement), to be unable to carry out the 
     activities (including instrumental activities) of daily 
     living;
       ``(B) with respect to such veteran, meets the definition of 
     the term `family caregiver' under section 1701(12) of this 
     title; and
       ``(C) is designated by such veteran as the primary family 
     caregiver for such veteran.
       ``(3) The authority of the Secretary to provide medical 
     care to a family caregiver under this section shall expire on 
     October 1, 2012.''.

     SEC. 6. LODGING AND SUBSISTENCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

       Section 111(e) of title 38, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``When'' and inserting the following: ``(1) 
     Except as provided in paragraph (2), when''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(2) Without regard to whether a covered veteran entitled 
     to mileage under this section requires an attendant in order 
     to perform such travel, an attendant of such covered veteran 
     may be allowed expenses of travel (including lodging and 
     subsistence) upon the same basis as such veteran during--
       ``(A) the period of time in which such veteran is traveling 
     to and from a treatment facility; and
       ``(B) the duration of the treatment episode for such 
     veteran.
       ``(3) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out 
     this subsection. Such regulations may include provisions--
       ``(A) to limit the number of attendants that may receive 
     expenses of travel under paragraph (2) for a single treatment 
     episode of a covered veteran; and
       ``(B) to require such attendants to use certain travel 
     services.
       ``(4) In this subsection, the term `covered veteran' means 
     a veteran who--
       ``(A) was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 
     or Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
       ``(B) for purposes of this subsection, is determined by the 
     Secretary--
       ``(i) to have a service-connected disability or illness 
     that is severe;
       ``(ii) to be in need of caregiver services, such that 
     without such services, the veteran would require 
     hospitalization, nursing home care, or other residential 
     institutional care; and
       ``(iii) based on an examination by a physician employed by 
     the Department (or, in areas where no such physician is 
     available, by a physician carrying out such function under a 
     contract or fee arrangement), to be unable to carry out the 
     activities (including instrumental activities) of daily 
     living.''.

     SEC. 7. SURVEY ON CAREGIVERS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and

[[Page 19403]]

     not less than once in each three-year period thereafter, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall design and conduct a 
     survey of caregivers and family caregivers. In carrying out 
     the survey, the Secretary shall collect the following 
     information:
       (1) The number of caregivers.
       (2) The number of family caregivers.
       (3) The number of veterans receiving caregiver services 
     from caregivers and family caregivers, including the era in 
     which each veteran served in the Armed Forces.
       (4) The range of caregiver services provided by caregivers 
     and family caregivers, including--
       (A) the average schedule of such services; and
       (B) the average amount of time a caregiver and family 
     caregiver has spent providing such services.
       (5) The average age of a caregiver and family caregiver.
       (6) The health care coverage of caregivers and family 
     caregivers, including the sources of such coverage.
       (7) The employment status of caregivers and family 
     caregivers.
       (8) Incidents of significant life changes related to being 
     a caregiver or family caregiver, including unemployment and 
     disenrollment from a course of education.
       (9) The number of family caregivers trained and certified 
     through a home health care agency.
       (10) Other information the Secretary considers appropriate.
       (b) Survey Sample.--In carrying out the survey required by 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that--
       (1) a statistically representative sample of caregivers and 
     family caregivers is included in the survey; and
       (2) such sample covers veterans in each Veterans Integrated 
     Service Network.
       (c) Findings.--The Secretary shall consider the findings of 
     the survey when carrying out programs related to caregivers 
     and family caregivers.
       (d) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which each survey is completed, the Secretary shall submit to 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate a report on caregivers and family caregivers. Each 
     such report shall include--
       (1) the findings of the survey required by subsection (a);
       (2) a summary of the services made available to caregivers 
     and family caregivers by the Secretary;
       (3) the number of caregivers and family caregivers who 
     receive such services;
       (4) the cost to the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
     providing each such service; and
       (5) other information the Secretary considers appropriate.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``caregiver'' has the meaning given such term 
     in section 1701(11) of title 38, United States Code, as added 
     by section 2(a) of this Act.
       (2) The term ``family caregiver'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 1701(12) of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by section 2(a) of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Filner) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to thank the chairman of the Health Subcommittee, Mr. Michaud 
of Maine, for introducing this bill.
  I yield to him such time as he may consume to explain the bill since 
he spent so much time in doing this, and we really thank him so much 
for his work.
  Mr. MICHAUD. I thank the chairman for yielding time to me. I also 
want to thank Ranking Member Buyer and the chairman for bringing this 
bill so quickly so we can take care of our caregivers. But I want also 
want to thank the staff on both the majority and minority sides. A lot 
of work went into this legislation to move it forward at the rapid pace 
that it was moved forward.
  When our wounded heroes return home, there are many family members 
who step up to the role of a caregiver. In this effort these family 
caregivers often make great sacrifices, including giving up their job, 
delaying their education, or making other significant life-changing 
sacrifices in order to be by their loved one's side.
  On June 4 of this year, the Health Subcommittee, with Ranking Member 
Henry Brown, we had a hearing to explore the needs of family caregivers 
of veterans. And based upon the findings of this hearing, I introduced 
H.R. 3155, the Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act, 
otherwise known as the CARE Act.
  The CARE Act requires the VA to train existing case managers of 
veterans so that they can inform caregivers of the benefits and 
assistance available to them.
  Next, the CARE Act provides support services to family and nonfamily 
caregivers of veterans of all eras who are enrolled in the VA health 
care system.

                              {time}  1445

  Such services include educational sessions on how to better give 
caregivers the education and resources they need; a one-stop shop to 
support services through a dedicated caregivers Web site; and 
information and outreach. In addition, this bill provides caregivers 
with the counseling and mental health services to help cope with the 
stress of caregivers. The CARE Act also provides veterans with the 
respite care that meets their specific needs.
  The CARE Act also provides a number of important benefits for 
caregivers of severely injured Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Medical 
care and monthly financial stipends will be available to primary family 
caregivers. Lodging and sustenance payments will also be provided for 
those caregivers as well.
  Finally, the CARE Act requires the VA to conduct a survey of 
caregivers so that we can better understand this population for future 
improvements in the program. It is one thing to pass legislation. It is 
the next thing to make sure that the legislation is implemented 
properly and that we revise that legislation to make it work smoothly.
  I also would like to take a moment to recognize the leadership of 
Mrs. Halvorson, Mr. Teague and Mr. Perriello. They are true advocates 
of caregivers, and their efforts are reflected in this bill. I want to 
thank my ranking member, Mr. Brown, for all the hard work that Mr. 
Brown and his staff did to make this bill a better bill and move it 
forward so we can vote on this here today.
  I would urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3155, so 
that we can begin to address the needs of the caregivers who are 
everyday heroes of our veterans.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I think Mr. Michaud was correct in applauding the staff. I think on 
all these four bills that we should be applauding the staff for their 
timely efforts and their hard work to get this accomplished.
  I rise in support of H.R. 3155, as amended, the Caregivers Assistance 
and Resource Enhancement Act of 2009. A family member or friend who 
serves as a caregiver in many cases drives the successful treatment and 
recovery of a severely wounded veteran or soldier. Yet those who care 
for their loved ones make sacrifices and can face difficulties in 
simply caring for their personal physical and mental health needs and 
financial well-being. So it is important that we reach out and make 
education, counseling and other support services available so the 
family caregiver can meet their own daily needs as well as the needs of 
the wounded warrior for whom they care.
  H.R. 3155, as amended, would establish new programs, enhance services 
and coordinate services system-wide. Key components of the legislation 
would require the VA to provide more and better education using new 
technologies, expand mental health and respite care services and travel 
benefits for family caregivers.
  Mr. Speaker, it also provides certain primary caregivers of very 
severely injured returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan with 
health insurance if they lost or don't have it, and a monthly personal 
allowance to mitigate financial problems that may occur.
  The bill would also require the VA to conduct a national survey of 
veterans' family caregivers. This survey would be vital to helping us 
gain a better understanding of the needs and develop additional good 
policies to support family caregivers.
  I want to commend the subcommittee chairman, Mike Michaud, and 
subcommittee ranking member, Henry Brown, for their leadership and hard 
work in developing this bipartisan piece of legislation. This bill, as 
amended, would provide veterans' family caregivers with a strong, 
system-wide array of support to depend upon.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill, as amended.

[[Page 19404]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Halvorson), one of the movers of this 
legislation.
  Mrs. HALVORSON. Thank you, Mr. Filner, for yielding. I also want to 
thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Michaud, for his leadership 
on this issue.
  As an original cosponsor, I rise in strong support of this CARE Act, 
which, among other things, will provide the caregivers of our injured 
heroes access to a wide range of services. H.R. 3155 includes language 
from my bill, H.R. 2898, the Wounded Warrior Caregiver Assistance Act, 
which authorizes the VA to make supportive services available to our 
caregivers.
  Specifically, the CARE Act provides counseling, better training and 
respite care for family caregivers. It makes sure that the VA conducts 
community outreach through PSAs and brochures and informational 
pamphlets. Finally, it helps caregivers locate resources for additional 
support from public, private and nonprofit agencies.
  Having a stepson that was severely injured in Afghanistan, I have 
firsthand understanding of how important these support services are. 
H.R. 3155 will give family caregivers the tools and resources they need 
to provide the highest quality care to an injured son, daughter or 
spouse.
  I would also like to take a moment to say thank you to caregivers 
across this Nation. Mothers, fathers, spouses and other family members 
are sacrificing their time, their energy and, in many cases, their 
futures to provide 24/7 health care for those who have fought to defend 
our Nation. For far too long, we have not provided them with the 
resources that they need to properly protect and care for our wounded 
warriors.
  This bill will allow the VA to care for our caregivers, something 
that is long overdue. For these reasons, I strongly urge my colleagues 
to support the CARE Act.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the 
chairman, as I have done earlier, Mr. Filner, and Steve Buyer, the 
ranking member, for their hard work in bringing this bill to the floor. 
I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to commend my 
colleague, the chief sponsor of this legislation, the gentleman from 
Maine, Mr. Michaud, for his leadership and sponsorship of this bill. I 
also want to thank the chairman of our Veterans Affairs Committee, the 
gentleman from California, Chairman Filner, Ranking Member Buyer, and 
also my friend from Florida, Mr. Stearns, who is managing the other 
side of the aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill addresses the important question of who will 
provide continuing care for injured servicemen and servicewomen once 
they transition to veteran status.
  Today, more servicemembers are surviving the wounds of war than those 
injured in previous conflicts. For example, the ratio of wounded to 
killed averaged approximately 1.7 wounded for every fatality for the 
first world wars. In Korea and Vietnam, the ratio improved to three 
wounded per fatality, largely due to air medical evacuation. In 
Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, improved body 
armor and superior battlefield medicine techniques have resulted in 
seven wounded per fatality.
  The fact of the matter is, Mr. Speaker, there is a growing need to 
provide continuing care to those injured and wounded from recent 
conflicts once they reach veteran status. As a result, providing 
support and resources to those giving care to these wounded and injured 
veterans is of real concern.
  Unfortunately, the Veterans Administration currently does not collect 
data that would enable us to assess the number of veterans currently 
under continuing care. More significantly, there is no data available 
to assess the number of caregivers, whether they be family members or 
other individuals. I believe this legislation provides for that right 
approach, and again thank the gentleman from Maine for his initiative 
in doing this bill.
  This bill would require the VA to conduct a caregivers survey at 
least once every 3 years of individuals caring for veterans enrolled in 
the VA health care system and report back to Congress no later than 180 
days after the date of which the survey has been completed.
  Mr. Speaker, in essence this bill would improve the quality of 
treatment and care of our veterans. Specifically, this bill would 
create a new caregiver program in order to provide coordinated support 
services to those that are giving care to our veterans. Training would 
be made available to caregivers through the Veterans Administration. 
Pertinent information would be disseminated to make sure that the 
caregivers are aware and well informed of services and resources 
available to them. As a result, the bottom line, Mr. Speaker: Our 
veterans are provided the necessary care for their needs.
  Again, I support the legislation. I urge my colleagues to support 
this bill.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, again I thank the gentleman, Mr. 
Faleomavaega, for his support of these bills.


                             General Leave

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 3155, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I speak today on behalf of H.R. 3155, the 
Caregiver Assistance and Resource Enhancement Act--the CARE Act.
  The nature of warfare is changing as is the economic requirements of 
American families. Thanks to advances in medical technology and our 
outstanding service men and women, more and more of our wounded 
warriors are surviving their injuries than ever before. At the same 
time more and more of our families must rely on dual incomes just to 
get by.
  Some of our wounded, though they survived, must now receive full time 
care due to the extent of their injuries. That second income earner 
ends up having to quit their job or limit their hours in order to 
provide care for their loved one. The potential loss in earnings for 
these families, even with military medical retirement pensions and VA 
disability pensions, is often catastrophic. And on top of that, the 
families must navigate the system largely on their own, putting pieces 
together and connecting the dots by figuring out the right questions to 
ask.
  This bill is a vital piece of legislation that will provide resources 
in a comprehensive program to engage those wounded warriors who require 
caregiver assistance and the family and friends who often serve as the 
caregiver.
  This bill provides for mental health and counseling services for 
those caregivers and ensures health care coverage for those caregivers 
who may have lost their health care coverage when they gave up their 
job to care for their loved one.
  This bill ensures that respite care is provided that is appropriate 
to the specific veteran's needs, including, if necessary, 24-hour in 
home respite care.
  And this bill provides the authorization for the VA to provide a 
stipend to the caregivers to help compensate for their loss of income.
  We owe it to our wounded warriors to ensure their care, and to ensure 
the care of those that sacrifice to care for them. We must pass this 
bill.
  Mr. TEAGUE. Mr. Speaker, during the upcoming August recess, many of 
my colleagues and I will travel home to visit with constituents and 
speak with them about their problems and find ways in which we can help 
them. As is often the case, my constituents continue to inspire me with 
their willingness to take on hard challenges themselves and help their 
neighbors in need. Many veterans throughout my district often volunteer 
their time to drive fellow veterans to medical appointments even though 
the drive can last over 3 or 4 hours. It is a hardship that too many 
face and should be made easier.
  That was why I introduced H.R. 2738, a bill that would direct the 
Secretary of the VA to reimburse family caregivers of disabled veterans

[[Page 19405]]

for travel expenses, including lodging and food, in connection with 
authorized VA treatment. Rural veteran face too many obstacles when 
seeking medical treatment, and I believe this legislation will make 
their lives a little easier while they seek the care that they were 
promised. I am very happy to note that the language contained in H.R. 
2738 was included in H.R. 3155. H.R. 3155 includes many provisions that 
are necessary to assist not only veterans, but those that are caring 
for our wounded warriors. We made a lot of promises to our veterans, 
and it's about time we began to honor them. I hope that my colleagues 
will support this very important piece of legislation, and I urge its 
passage.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues' total support of 
the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3155, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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