Bill > S3647

This bill, titled the "Disabled Veterans Dignity Act of 2026," mandates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establish a program to address the bowel and bladder care needs of veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who are dependent on others for this care while living outside of institutional settings. This program will provide care based on clinical need, allowing veterans to receive assistance from qualified family members, individually employed caregivers, or contracted home health agencies. The Secretary will conduct individualized assessments to determine the necessary hours of care, provide training and establish qualifications for caregivers, and issue monthly stipends to family members and individually employed caregivers, with payment rates for agencies capped by existing regulations. Importantly, family members and individually employed caregivers will not be considered vendors or contractors, and veterans requiring care for three continuous years will be presumed to need it for life unless their medical provider determines otherwise. The program will be coordinated with other VA benefits to avoid duplication, and care will not be provided to veterans who can manage these functions independently.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3647/all-info