United StatesEstablishes VA program to provide bowel and bladder care
This bill changes how certain disabled veterans get daily bowel and bladder assistance and whether family caregivers can be paid and classified.
What it does
Creates a VA program specifically to address bowel and bladder care needs for eligible veterans with spinal cord injuries.
Allows care to be provided by qualified family members, individually employed caregivers, or contracted home health agencies.
Requires individualized assessments of hours needed and review/concurrence from a VA Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Center before denying care.
Provides training and sets provider qualifications, requires documentation for payment, and establishes monthly stipends/payments with caps tied to VA/GS nursing assistant rates.
Deems veterans who require care for three continuous years to need it for life unless a medical provider decides otherwise, and excludes from the program veterans who can perform functions without assistance.
Argument forTargets a medically necessary need: bowel and bladder care for veterans with spinal cord injuries can prevent serious complications and support community living.
Argument againstThe bill will create new recurring VA payments (stipends and agency payments) with unclear total cost and potential budgetary impact.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.Latest
- Jan 15Introduced in Senate
- Jan 15Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.Introduced
VeteransHealthcareDisability Rights