Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act. This bill would address a current gap in care for veterans in Maine living with early- stage dementia. Specifically, it would ensure that the VA can waive certain eligibility requirements to allow veterans with early-stage dementia to be cared for in State veterans' homes when it is in the best interest of the veteran.

In Maine, we lead the way in caring for our veterans. For more than 40 years, Maine Veterans' Homes has been a vital part of our State's commitment to our heroes. My father, Donald Collins, a decorated World War II veteran, was cared for by the Veterans' Home in Caribou at the end of his life, so I know firsthand the compassion and care that Maine Veterans' Homes provide. In the land of the free, Maine Veterans' Homes help ensure that there will always be a home for the brave when they need care.

As chairman of the Senate Aging Committee and representing the oldest State by median age in the country, I have championed policies to help individuals living with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as America's hidden heroes--our military and veteran caregivers. I cofounded the Senate Alzheimer's Task Force in recognition of the devastating impact that disease has on individuals and families.

Our Nation owes America's veterans our deepest gratitude. We must honor our commitment to veterans by continuing to support their needs, including the needs of veterans who are living with early-stage dementia.

The State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act would require VA to implement a waiver authority, allowing the VA to grant domiciliary care per diem payments for veterans who meet at least half of the VA's current eligibility requirements and if such a waiver would be in that veterans' best interest. This will provide the flexibility to ensure this vulnerable group of veterans do not fall through the cracks and that VA can help address the growing needs for assistance for these patients.

Mr. President, this legislation has the support of Melissa Jackson, the president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, as well as Kelley Kash, CEO of Maine Veterans' Homes, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in honoring and supporting some of our Nation's most vulnerable veterans by supporting its passage.

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