PRINTER'S NO. 1457
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
254
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY VULAKOVICH, COSTA, ARGALL, BROOKS, RAFFERTY,
TEPLITZ AND YUDICHAK, DECEMBER 5, 2015
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
DECEMBER 5, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 2894, the
"Caregivers Access and Responsible Expansion for All Veterans
Act" or the "CARE for All Veterans Act."
WHEREAS, There are over 900,000 veterans in this Commonwealth
who have served in the United States Armed Forces, including
nearly 615,000 veterans who served prior to September 11, 2001;
and
WHEREAS, Our veteran population deserves the best available
care and resources, including the ability to receive care at
home from a loved one who has the appropriate training to assist
with personal care needs and activities of daily living; and
WHEREAS, The role of a caregiver requires substantial
dedication, time and effort to ensure the health and well-being
of our veterans; and
WHEREAS, The duties of a caregiver can take a physical and
emotional toll on the caregiver, including the difficulty for
caregivers to maintain a separate livelihood; and
WHEREAS, Public Law 111-163, the "Caregivers and Veterans
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Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," was signed into law on May
5, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program provides
critical support services and benefits, including education,
training, stress management and support groups, to caregivers of
post-9/11 veterans; and
WHEREAS, Current law excludes pre-9/11 veterans from
participating in the program; and
WHEREAS, According to the RAND Corporation, of the 5.5
million military caregivers in the United States, only 19.6% are
providing care to post-9/11 veterans, leaving a large population
of caregivers without assistance; and
WHEREAS, Expansion of the program to caregivers of all
veterans would create an equitable system and equitable access
for veterans of all service eras; and
WHEREAS, The Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
believes that the veterans benefits and services available to
caregivers of post-9/11 veterans be made available to veterans
of all service eras; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
urge the Congress of the United States to pass H.R. 2894, the
"Caregivers Access and Responsible Expansion for All Veterans
Act" or the "CARE for All Veterans Act," which expands
eligibility for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Program; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President of the United States, to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs and to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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