Bipartisan, bicameral corrective fixes proposed on behalf of veterans

A program criticized for not having the resources or transparency needed by veterans now has corrective fixes proposed in both houses of Congress.

Reps. Don Davis, R-N.C., Jen Kiggans, R-Va., and Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., have introduced the CARE Act of 2023. Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Mike Braun, R-Ind., introduced it in the Senate last month.

The Veterans Caregiver Application and Appeals Reform Act, according to a release, should be able to improve the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The Caregivers Program, if the bills become law, would allow veterans service organizations and other accredited agents to advocate for disabled veterans.

It would also require the Department of Veterans Affairs “to employ qualified medical specialists to evaluate applications and provide more detailed information in denial letters.”