06.21.19

Hoeven Outlines Work to Provide Veterans With Health and Long-Term Care Closer to Home

Senator Marks One Year Anniversary of VA MISSION Act Becoming Law & His Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act

WASHINGTON –Senator John Hoeven this week spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate to mark the anniversary of the passage and signing into law of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act, legislation to strengthen the VA and ensure better access to health care for the nation’s veterans. Hoeven worked to secure important priorities for North Dakota veterans in the VA MISSION Act, including:

  • Key provisions from his Veterans Access to Long Term Care and Health Services Act to increase access to long-term care (LTC) options, including nursing home services, for veterans in their home communities and near their loved ones.
  • Expanded caregiver benefits for veterans of all eras. Under current law, these benefits are only available to caregivers of post-9/11 veterans. This provision will help support all veterans and the family and friends that care for them.
  • Removal of the arbitrary 30-day/40-mile rule, which acted as a barrier to veterans receiving care in their home communities and often required veterans to travel long distances to receive health care. 

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our nation, which is why it’s so important that we continue working to ensure that the VA MISSION Act is implemented properly to ensure it meets our goal of providing veterans with access to health and long-term care closer to home,” said Hoeven.

Since passage of the VA MISSION Act, the senator has been working with local stakeholders and veterans in North Dakota as well as administration officials to ensure the VA MISSION Act achieves the intent of Congress and provides veterans with better access to health care closer to home. This includes his provision in the legislation that allows the VA to enter into Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs) with qualified long-term care facilities, enabling more of these facilities to accept veteran patients. To date, Hoeven has worked to secure the support of the VA Secretary, Secretary of Labor and Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in advancing this priority, and will continue to work with long-term care providers to ensure the final rules allow them to care for veterans without having to comply with duplicative regulations.

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