Mikulski Applauds Senate Passage of Bill to Support the Caregivers of Our Wounded Veterans
Press Release
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) applauded Senate passage of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2009, a bill that fulfills the VA's obligation to care for the nation's wounded veterans by providing their caregivers counseling, support and a living stipend.
"We know the family is always the first caregiver. For too long, we've asked them to shoulder our nation's obligation to care for our wounded veterans when they return home -- and to shoulder it alone," Senator Mikulski said. "This bill ensures that the family members who give up their jobs to care for a wounded warrior get the resources and support they deserve from the federal government."
The Senate bill will:
Establish an unprecedented permanent program to train, support, and assist the caregivers of disabled veterans;
Provide caregivers with a stipend equal to what a home health agency would pay an employee to provide similar services;
Improve care for veterans in rural areas, reduce veteran homelessness, improve care for women veterans; and
Improve VA's ability to recruit and retain a strong workforce and provide quality assurance at its medical facilities.
According to a recent RAND report, one-third of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan -- 300,000 in all -- will develop post-traumatic stress disorder, and countless others will suffer traumatic injury and significant problems adjusting to home life and reintegrating into their communities.
Many seriously wounded veterans will require temporary or permanent home care. In many cases, family members step up to fill the role of caregiver for their wounded family member. A recent study found that one in four Iraq and Afghanistan veterans report that a family member has given up their job to care for them. By giving up a job, caregivers often give up health insurance, fall behind in their own financial obligations, or are forced to make alternate arrangements for child care. Studies also show that family caregivers experience an increased likelihood of stress and depression.
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