September 11, 2024 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: Chavez-DeRemer Introduces Legislation to Help Improve Care for Aging Veterans
Today, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee to advocate for her new proposal that seeks to improve long-term health care for aging veterans. Specifically, the VA Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee Expansion Act would add a representative of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee. The NASVH plays a key role in enhancing the quality of life of veterans in State Veterans Homes, which provide nursing home, domiciliary, and other care. Chavez-DeRemer introduced the proposal after holding a Veterans Policy Forum in Central Oregon, where she heard concerns regarding long-term and community care options for aging veterans.
“With over eight million living veterans who are aged 65 or older, many still from our Greatest Generation, there is an everlasting need to strengthen and expand long-term care options for our veterans. The amount of nursing home care offered by the VA is currently not meeting the overall number of eligible veterans,” Chavez-DeRemer said during her committee remarks. “NASVH will be able to offer nursing home care experience combined with the ability to stretch adequate resources and serve as many veterans as possible, including expanding care to veterans who can be serviced in their own communities and homes. With a nationwide network, NASVH understands the changing demographics, needs, and preferences of veterans in all areas of the country.”
Watch or download Chavez-DeRemer’s full remarks by clicking HERE.
“State Veterans Homes provide more than half of all VA-supported nursing home care and it’s critical that VA take advantage of their capability and expertise to meet the long-term care needs of aging and disabled veterans. To accomplish this, State Veterans Homes must have a seat at the table when VA is planning and making decisions affecting veterans’ long-term care programs and policies. The legislation introduced by Representative Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5) would mandate that the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) is represented on VA’s Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee, offering a critical perspective that is currently missing. NASVH is grateful to Congresswoman Chavez De-Remer for introducing this legislation and for working to improve the care provided to America’s heroes,” said Ed Harries, NASVH President.
The Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee’s purpose is to advise the VA secretary on all matters related to meeting the needs of aging veterans, including effectively meeting their medical, psychological, and social needs. There are 169 VA-recognized State Veterans Homes across the nation, including one in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District in Lebanon. Requiring a representative from the NASVH to sit on this advisory committee will bring tested clinical expertise to the table to strengthen the committee’s mission.
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
Chavez-DeRemer has consistently fought to improve health care and housing for veterans. She led bipartisan legislation authorizing $523 million for the Portland VA Medical Center to expand specialty care services and improve accessibility, which was signed into law. The House also passed her HOME Act, which improves assistance for transitional housing services to reduce homelessness among veterans. After holding a forum with Central Oregon veterans in June, Chavez-DeRemer wrote to VA Secretary McDonough to raise veterans’ concerns regarding access to community care.
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