Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act
Impact
If implemented, this bill could significantly enhance the support system for veterans requiring care. Currently, many veterans rely heavily on nursing home services due to a lack of alternatives. SB495 seeks to change this dynamic by offering assisted living as a viable option, potentially allowing many veterans to maintain greater independence while receiving necessary care. The program may reduce the strain on the nursing home system and improve the quality of life for veterans by aligning care options with individual needs and preferences.
Summary
SB495, titled the 'Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act', mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a three-year pilot program providing assisted living services for eligible veterans. The legislation aims to explore the feasibility, effectiveness, and satisfaction levels of veterans utilizing these services. The pilot will be conducted across selected Veterans Integrated Service Networks, ensuring geographical diversity and targeting regions with high nursing home care utilizations, thus addressing the demand for alternative long-term care options.
Contention
Some legislative discussions may arise around the effectiveness of the pilot program and the funding associated with it, including whether it adequately addresses the needs of veterans in rural areas versus urban centers. There may also be concerns regarding the quality and standards maintained across the various facilities involved in the pilot program, as well as potential challenges in evaluating the success of the program based on the reports generated during its initial roll-out. Furthermore, ensuring veterans are aware of and can access these options will be critical to the program's success.
Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2023 This bill temporarily establishes several programs to provide telehealth services for at-home testing, evaluations, and other health care. Specifically, the bill establishes a demonstration program to provide assistive telehealth consultations and home- and community-based care for certain Medicare beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Covered services include certain at-home diagnostic tests, telehealth consultations, transportation services, and meal benefits. Beneficiaries must be (1) age 65 or older and eligible to enroll in a qualifying MA plan and to receive certain low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, or (2) dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The bill also establishes a grant program for state Medicaid programs to cover similar at-home tests and related telehealth consultations. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must establish a pilot program to provide tests and related telehealth consultations free of charge to veterans.