Reps Cherfilus-McCormick, Ciscomani, Introduce Effort to Improve Care for Senior Veterans and Veterans with Disabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), who both serve on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, introduced a new effort to improve healthcare coordination and management for veterans who receive services through Medicare and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Many veterans over the age of 65 and those who are disabled are enrolled in both Medicare and the VA. Oftentimes, due to a lack of coordination between agencies, dual enrollment can lead to challenges and result in fragmented and more expensive care.
Cherfilus-McCormick and Ciscomani’s effort, the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act (H.R. 9399), would create a three-year pilot program to better coordinate, navigate, and manage healthcare benefits for veterans enrolled in both systems by assigning a case manager to develop individualized healthcare plans that best suit the needs of that veteran as well as ensure the proper delivery of those services.
“Our nation’s veterans deserve the highest quality and standard of care,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. “The VA and Medicare program must fulfill this mission, but research continues to show that dually enrolled veterans struggle to navigate the healthcare bureaucracy and receive coordinated care. I am proud to co-lead the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, which would connect dually enrolled veterans with case managers to help them personalize their healthcare services, all while lowering costs. This bill has the potential to significantly increase access to care for my home state of Florida, which has the third-largest veteran population in the entire country. I am excited to work with my colleague Congressman Ciscomani to advance this bipartisan priority.”
“Veterans are our nation’s heroes, and they deserve a healthcare system that works for them,” said Congressman Juan Ciscomani, who represents over 70,000 veterans. “Unfortunately, too often, I hear from veterans who are frustrated by the lack of coordination between Medicare and the VA when trying to access the healthcare benefits they are owed. This bipartisan legislation will help senior veterans and those with disabilities by assigning a case manager to develop individualized care plans, coordinate the delivery of care, and help veterans navigate Medicare and the VA. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick on this effort.”
"Wounded Warrior Project is pleased to support the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Access Act,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President for Government and Community Relations for the Wounded Warrior Project. “Innovative pilot programs like the one envisioned by this bill help us better understand what's possible in our effort to improve the systems of care that support our nation's heroes. With better case coordination and health care outcomes as the goal, this pilot program can help younger veterans who use Medicare earlier in life because of catastrophic injuries from military service. We thank Representatives Ciscomani and Cherfilus-McCormick for their vision and leadership on this issue and urge Congress to pass this important legislation."
“Many veterans with disabilities rely on both VA health care and Medicare to meet their healthcare needs,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). “This can lead to a duplication of care, poor coordination of services, higher costs; and in the worst of cases, endangers the health and wellbeing of the veteran. PVA supports the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, which tests VA’s ability to coordinate and manage care and benefits between these two systems for covered veterans.”
“The VA has many beneficial programs and services that often go unused by veterans and family caregivers because of a lack of holistic and proactive care coordination, especially for those with the most complex needs,” said Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act recognizes this challenge and represents a significant step toward allowing veterans and caregivers to realize the benefit of the VA’s care while alleviating the burden of navigating the agency’s often complex web of services. We thank Congressman Ciscomani and Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick for their introduction of this meaningful legislation and look forward to continued efforts to improve care coordination efforts across the VA.”
“This bi-partisan bill marks a significant step forward in ensuring that senior veterans receive the comprehensive health care and supports they have earned,” said Michael Braham, President of CareSource Military and Veterans. “By leveraging managed care best practices, this pilot program would enhance the continuity and coordination of care for veterans covered by the VA and Medicare. It would be designed using proven practices that help to improve health outcomes, substantially advance quality of life, and enable future collaborations to prioritize the well-being of our nation’s heroes.”
“Easterseals is proud to support this important legislation that will improve coordination and eliminate inefficiencies to ensure our nation’s veterans get the care they need, when they need it,” said Kendra Davenport, President and CEO of Easterseals. “I want to commend Rep. Ciscomani and every other lawmaker involved in this effort. Dual enrollment in Medicare and VA health care often leads to confusion, duplication of services, and sometimes even the delay in receiving care for many veterans. This legislation will improve coordination between the two systems and guide America's veterans through this often-complex process.”
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, is the Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health. She is committed to ensuring that the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces receive their hard-earned benefits and are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act reflects her dedication to lowering healthcare costs and expanding access to care for veterans.
A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Angus King (I-ME). The full bill text can be found here.
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