Pottstown Mercury - Costello: Caring for our Veteranas

By Congressman Ryan Costello

For many of our veterans, the most important care and support they receive isn't found in a Veterans Administration Clinic or Hospital, but right at home -- and the most important care provider isn't necessarily their doctor or nurse, but a family member or loved one.

These are the true Caregivers -- family and friends who dedicate their livelihood, their love, and their support to improving the quality of life for our Veterans.

While often overlooked, the dedication and time it takes to care for and support a disabled veteran is immense and immeasurable. Caregivers are true partners in the delivery of health care to our veterans, and the VA has taken steps to recognize the important role they play through the development of the VA Caregiver Support Program, a program specifically designed to support the role of family caregivers who assist our disabled veterans.

Earlier this year, I attended a town hall at the Southeastern Veterans' Center in Spring City. Here I learned that some of my constituents do not have access to the VA Caregiver Support Program, as this program assists only post-9/11 veterans and excludes all members who have served in previous service-eras, such those who valiantly served in the Vietnam or Korean wars.

While this program provides excellent service to those young men and women who have recently served overseas, there are still ways to create a better system that assists ALL service-era veterans.

According to a RAND Corp. study, "Hidden Heroes: America's Military Caregivers," there are an estimated 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States, and of those, only 19.6 percent care for post-9/11 veterans. It is clear that a large population of our disabled veterans' caregivers are not receiving needed assistance, and that is why I joined Democrat Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty in introducing H.R. 2894, the CARE for All Veterans Act.

Our straightforward, commonsense bill would treat all disabled veterans equally by gradually granting access to the VA Caregiver Support Program to all service-era veterans. Doing so would also address another issue critical to caring for our disabled veterans: the cost of that care itself.

The VA Caregiver Support Program enables disabled veterans to stay and receive care at home, where care is substantially less expensive and more desired than in costly institutions, like VA hospitals.

I believe family caregivers are a crucial part of caring for our nation's disabled heroes and they too deserve quality support.

All caregivers, no matter the age of the veteran they serve, should have access to the VA Caregiver Support Program.

I'm grateful to my constituents for bringing this need to my attention. And I am proud to push forward on this legislation.

The CARE for All Veterans Act is a proactive step to ensure our disabled veterans are able to receive the quality personal care they need -- and that those who dedicate themselves to their care have the resources and support that they deserve.

Congressman Ryan A. Costello is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District that includes portions of Berks, Chester, Lebanon and Montgomery counties.

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