VA to fund home bowel and bladder care for veterans

What does this do?

This bill would create a new VA program to cover bowel and bladder care for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who live at home. Care could be provided by a family member, a privately hired caregiver, or a home health agency, and the VA would pay those caregivers a monthly stipend or fee. Family members and privately hired caregivers would not be classified as vendors or contractors under federal rules.

Who does it affect?

Veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who live at home or in non-institutional settings and cannot manage their own bowel and bladder functions would be eligible. Family members, privately hired caregivers, and contracted home health agencies could serve as paid caregivers under the program.

Why does it matter?

If a veteran has been in the program for three or more continuous years, they would automatically be considered to need care for life unless their own doctor says otherwise. Before the VA could deny care to any veteran, it would first need approval from a specialized Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Center.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• VA pays caregivers monthly stipend
• Costs unspecified

Where does it stand?