John Plahovinsak
On December 5, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan H.R. 3581, the Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act. Encompassed within the COPE Act was H.R. 3504, the VA Medical Security Report Act of 2023.
Both Acts were initially sponsored by Representative Jen Kiggans, a former United States Navy Helicopter pilot.
The COPE Act would increase mental health resources available to caregivers of America’s veteran population by establishing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant programs for entities that support caregiver mental health and well-being.
The VA currently maintains several programs that provide both certifications and resources to veterans’ caregivers. Two (2) of these Programs are: the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS) and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
The PFCAC is geared specifically toward family members or close friends who decide to take on caregiver responsibility for veterans.
Under these programs, caregivers are defined as any person who provides personal care services to a veteran enrolled in VA healthcare who either needs assistance with one or more activities of daily living, or needs supervision or protection based on symptoms or residuals of neurological impairment or other impairment or injury.
The COPE Act authorizes the VA to provide grants to organizations whose mission is focused on the mental healthcare of participants in the PFCAC.
It also requires the VA to provide outreach to registered caregivers and requires both the VA and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide Congress with research on the program and its outcomes.
“Improving the lives of our nation’s heroes is one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Congresswoman Kiggans.
“With the passage of my COPE Act,” explained Kiggans, “we are taking several important steps to ensure our veterans are receiving the quality healthcare they have earned and deserve in a safe environment.”
“Improving the lives of our nation’s heroes is one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Congresswoman from Virginia. “As the granddaughter of a veteran, the daughter of a veteran, the wife of a veteran, the mother of future veterans, and having served 10 years in the Navy as a helicopter pilot, I will always fight to provide our former servicemembers with a VA care system they can depend on.”
“Sadly, many veterans across the country don’t have a VA health system nearby, meaning those veterans’ family members have to step in and help provide care,” said Representative Chrissy Houlahan.
“These family caregivers often require support of their own to perform what can be a physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing job of veteran caregiving,” explained Congresswoman Houlahan. “I am proud to see this bipartisan bill establishing a grant program to expand access to and availability of mental health resources for caregivers passed by the House!”
“AARP, which advocates for the more than 100 million Americans age 50 and over, is pleased to endorse H.R. 3581, the Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act,” said Bill Sweeny, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for AARP.
“We applaud Congresswoman Kiggans’ bipartisan efforts to support military and veteran family caregivers by improving their access to mental health counseling and treatment,” stated Bill Sweeny.
H.R. 3504, the VA Medical Security Report Act of 2023, was combined in the COPE Act that was passed on December 5, 2023. This Security Act would assist the VA Police Force and its officers in obtaining the resources they need to ensure the safety of VA Medical Centers.
This Act is designed to increase safety and security at VA Medical facilities by requiring VA leadership to provide reports that accurately detail the health of VA police forces and security at VA Medical Centers.
This Act is designed to increase safety and security at VA Medical facilities by requiring VA leadership to provide reports that accurately detail the health of VA police forces and security at VA Medical Centers.
These reports will detail staffing vacancies, security weakness, and data on criminal activities, training, vacancies, and security weaknesses. Additionally, the bill requires that these reports include input from police leaders on the ground.
The number of violent crimes committed at VA medical facilities increased from 3,141 in FY 2018 to 6,505 in FY 2021, despite the number of people at these facilities decreasing by 25-50% between FY 2020 and FY 2021.
The VA currently operates 144 police units at VA Medical Centers, consisting of approximately 3,700 officers and 430 chiefs of police, deputy chiefs of police, and physical security specialists, making it one of the top ten (10) largest federal law enforcement organizations.
“Veterans risked their lives to serve our country and we must ensure that VA medical centers are a safe environment for them after their service is over,” said Congressman Chris Pappas, a co-sponsor of the legislation.
“This bipartisan legislation will improve our understanding of how to improve the security and safety of VA medical centers and ensure law enforcement has the resources they need to prevent crime,” continued Congressman Pappas.
“I urge the Senate to swiftly take it up to ensure our law enforcement are supported in their efforts to keep veterans safe,” concluded Pappas.
My Opinion: In summary, the COPE Act will provide counseling, treatment, and other support to benefit veterans and their Caregivers. H.R. 3504, the VA Medical Security Report Act of 2023, which has been attached to the COPE Act is both rational and sensible.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has been a strong advocate for all the caregivers of our disabled veterans and has strongly supported the passage of the COPE Act.
The United States Senate has a companion bill related to the COPE Act entitled S. 216, the Reinforcing Enhanced Support through Equity for Caregivers (RESPECT) Act of 2023.
Once the RESPECT Act of 2023 is passed by the Senate, a compromise bill is initiated with the COPE Act and both legislative bodies must agree to the compromise version before it is forwarded to the President for signing.
The RESPECT Act was introduced on February 1, 2023, by Senator Christopher Coons, and passed out of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on February 16, 2023. It is a bipartisan legislative bill and co-sponsored by Senator Jerry Moran.
Neither Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown or J. D. Vance have co-sponsored S. 216, the RESPECT Act of 2023.
As Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Ohio’s Hospital Chairman, I have a vested interest in the safety at the five (5) VA Medical facilities within the State of Ohio.
I also have a vested interest in supporting the Caregivers of our Disabled Veterans Programs, which has been a DAV goal/objective over the last two (2) decades.
The United States Senate should act immediately on this legislation in January of 2024, when they return from their Holiday Break.
Remember, Caregivers of disabled veterans rarely get a break (or respite) from their duties, which they willingly accept!
BioSketch: John Plahovinsak is a retired 32-year Army veteran who served from 1967 to 1999. He is the Adjutant of DAV Chapter #63 (Clermont County) and can be contacted at: plahovinsak@msn.com.