Representative Elise Stefanik [NY-21] introduced H.R. 3989, the Support Our Military Caregivers Act, which, if passed, would establish an external review process in cases where VA caregiver benefits were either revoked, inadequate, or denied. The measure would ensure that once a review is requested by a caregiver, a decision would be required to be completed within 120 days.
DAV has long had concerns with VA’s Comprehensive Caregiver Support Program, including the seeming lack of due process and transparency in the decision and appeal process for applicants. Early on, we identified the need for an independent mechanism where (1) a caregiver can appeal a clinical team’s decision; (2) that decision can be carefully reviewed from the beginning; and (3) an unwarranted decision can be reversed, altered, or sent back to the clinical team with instructions to reassess or consider additional issues.
It is imperative that veterans and their caregivers are granted this basic due process and we ask you to please contact your Representative and urge them to cosponsor and support passage of this bill during the 114th Congress. As always, thank you for your advocacy and for aiding DAV in support of our mission of empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.
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