Support our Hidden Heros; "Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015."

Statement

It is always with a great sense of pride that I tell people South Texas is among the nation's most patriotic. The names of our sons and daughters who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and gave their lives for our freedom are carved in stone and bronze memorials in every city across the region. We honor their service, valor and sacrifices, and at the same time, we must never overlook the innumerable contributions of so many caregivers -- in many cases, a family relative or loved one -- who have selflessly helped shoulder the burden and expense of nurturing back to health our returning heroes and veterans bearing the wounds and psychological scars of war.

Tremendous feats of care, support and generosity for our veterans occur every day but often go unnoticed. Caregivers make sacrifices of their own in the form of money spent out of pocket, time away from work, and pausing their own pursuits -- all at the expense of their own health, wealth, careers, well-being and even other loved ones. Not only do they deserve our gratitude and recognition, but they also deserve for us to go above and beyond the call of duty like the veterans for whom they care did for us in our defense.

That is why I am proud to be a member of the bipartisan "Hidden Heroes Congressional Caucus for Military and Veteran Caregivers" and an original cosponsor of the "Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act of 2015." This legislation expands eligibility for the post-9/11 GI Bill and current programs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include the caregivers of pre-9/11 veterans who were wounded, injured or who became ill due to active duty circumstances.

Specifically, the bill offers more federal support and resources for comprehensive child care services, flexible work arrangements for federal employees who are also caregivers as well as a monthly stipend, travel expenses, access to health care insurance, mental health services and counseling, and comprehensive caregiver training provided by Easter Seals and respite care. These modest but entirely deserving measures should go a long way toward alleviating the burden on caregivers and distributing the expense and resources of caring for our heroes.

In Hidalgo County, the VA supports caregivers through the Military Veteran Peer Network. One of our region's distinguished residents is Jessica Villarreal, a veteran herself and caregiver to her veteran husband. She is also a local coordinator for caregiver support groups, helping those who are in a similar situation to her own. But there is only one nurse and one social worker assigned by the VA to work with caregivers in our region. Jessica acknowledges they are a blessing and hopes more health professionals will be assigned to help lighten the burden on caregivers, many of whom urgently require advice or consolation, particularly in response to situations when veterans express frustration and anger, often taken out on the caregiver.

Caregivers must know and be reminded often that they are not alone. I remain committed to fulfilling our country's solemn promise to our nation's veterans and their families in return for their courage and sacrifice. We must never turn our back on them. As selfless as their valor and service in defense of America's liberties, we must rise to a commensurate level of commitment and devotion to care for our veterans and support all of those who give so much of themselves to provide for their care.

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