We were disappointed to read that the Administration is not supportive of expanding VA’s Comprehensive Program of Assistance for Family Caregivers, which has made it possible for many post-9/11 veterans and their caregivers to thrive in the wake of devastating injuries. It is simply unconscionable that we continue to deny eligibility for this program to severely disabled veterans of other generations simply because they were injured prior to September 11, 2001.

Many family caregivers have selflessly devoted decades of their lives to the health, wellbeing and often strenuous care of their loved one—all without access to comprehensive support services and benefits. Their veterans’ sacrifices are no less significant because of the era in which they served, but current law unfairly discriminates against past generations of veterans by imposing this arbitrary eligibility cutoff date.

Allowing severely disabled veterans to remain in their homes longer is not only economically smart and will more efficiently use VA and taxpayer funds, but it also leads to better health outcomes for veterans and for their family caregivers. But because of age or the long-lasting effects of their injuries, the window is closing for many of these veterans and their caregivers to ever see fair and equal access to this program. The time to end the inequity is now, while legislation to expand eligibility to all generations of veterans has broad bipartisan support.

DAV thanks those in the House and Senate who have supported this measure, and now we call on the White House and the rest of Congress to do what’s right and pass existing provisions within the Caring for our Veterans Act to immediately expand eligibility to this program to all generations of our nation’s most seriously disabled veterans—many of whom cannot afford to wait any longer.