"Named in honor of Senator Elizabeth Dole, a tireless advocate for veterans and caregivers."
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, the House of Representatives achieved a monumental victory for our nation’s veterans and their families by passing H.R. 8371, The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation delivers on our promise to prioritize veterans—not bureaucracy. It’s a comprehensive effort to modernize the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and ensure veterans receive the care, benefits, and services they have earned.
Named in honor of Senator Elizabeth Dole, a tireless advocate for veterans and caregivers, this bill reflects months of collaboration between Republicans, Democrats, and leading veteran service organizations. Here’s what it means for our heroes:
Highlights of the Bill
- Expanding Career Opportunities: Fully funds the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Course program, offering high-tech career training to transitioning service members and veterans. With an 84% graduation rate and an average starting salary of $66,000, this program equips our veterans for success in the modern workforce.
- Improving Elderly and Home Care: Expands access to Home- and Community-Based Services, allowing severely ill and aging veterans to receive care at home with dignity.
- Strengthening Mental Health Support: Provides community mental health grants to caregivers of veterans, reducing stigma and supporting mental wellness.
- Addressing Veteran Homelessness: Raises grant funding for homelessness programs, ensuring veterans have transportation and resources to secure housing and employment.
- Streamlining GI Bill Benefits: Simplifies educational assistance to give student veterans more flexibility to use their benefits as they see fit.
- Modernizing Disability Claims: Updates VA systems to improve efficiency and transparency in processing disability compensation claims.
- Enhancing Survivor Benefits: Extends funeral allowances to survivors of veterans who choose to die at home or under VA hospice care.
