(Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC) – On January 22, 2026, Representatives Bergman (R-MI) and Budzinski (D-IL) formally reintroduced Gerald’s Law as a standalone bill to permanently protect burial benefits for veterans who receive Veterans Affairs (VA) furnished hospice care outside of a VA facility. The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) applauds this bi-partisan effort to close a critical gap in benefits impacting seriously-ill veterans and their families.
Gerald’s Law was enacted at the end of 2024 as part of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, and signed into law on January 2, 2025. However, the provision was included as a time-limited pilot and currently applies only to veterans who pass away between July 2025 and October 1, 2026, underscoring the need for permanent statutory reform.
Under prior law, veterans who received VA-furnished hospice care at home or in other non-VA settings were deemed to have died “outside” a qualifying VA facility, even when the VA remained responsible for their care. As a result, some families lost access to the full VA burial allowance solely because of where their loved one spent their final days. Gerald’s Law closes this gap, ensuring that veterans receiving VA-furnished hospice care—whether at home, in a nursing home, or another non-VA setting—retain access to their full burial benefits. This legislation prioritized the dignity and comfort of veterans and their families during one of life’s most challenging times.
“Veterans should not be penalized for choosing to spend their final days at home, surrounded by loved ones. Forcing families to forfeit earned burial benefits is unacceptable, and what happened to Jerry must never happen again.” said Congressman Bergman.
Congresswoman Budzinski commented on the legislation, saying: “For surviving families, VA’s burial allowance eases the burden of funeral and burial costs, allowing them to properly honor their loved one who gave so much in service to our country. It’s wrong for a veteran to be denied this earned benefit just because they choose to pass away in the comfort of their own home. Congress temporarily closed this loophole last year, now it’s time to fix this injustice permanently.”
Historically, the Alliance has played an active role in garnering support for this legislation and educating congressional offices on the resources required for veteran patients who need serious illness and end-of-life care.
“We are deeply grateful for the reintroduction of Gerald’s Law by Representatives Bergman and Budzinski,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO of the Alliance. “This critical legislation ensures that veterans and their families can continue to choose comfort over cost when selecting an end-of-life care setting, without having to risk the loss of crucial burial benefits. While Congress previously addressed this issue on a temporary basis, veterans and their families deserve certainty and permanence. We thank both Representatives for their bipartisan leadership and look forward to supporting efforts to make this protection permanent and ensure continued access to care at home for our nation’s veterans.”
The Alliance has long supported Gerald’s Law and worked closely with policymakers to educate congressional offices on the resources required to meet the serious illness and end-of-life care needs of veterans. As of 2025, over 3,500 hospice and community partners have committed to providing Veteran-centric care through the Alliance’s We Honor Veterans program for provider members as well as through its free, educational We Honor Veterans website. The Alliance remains committed to advancing policies that protect veterans’ access to high-quality care across the care at home continuum, including care delivered in the home and community. The Alliance looks forward to collaborating with lawmakers to ensure that Gerald’s Law is made permanent —honoring veterans’ service while protecting their dignity and their families’ benefits.
###
About the National Alliance for Care at Home
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is the leading authority in transforming care in the home. As an inclusive thought leader, advocate, educator, and convener, we serve as the unifying voice for providers and recipients of home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and Medicaid home and community-based services throughout all stages of life. Learn more at www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.
Press Contact
communications@allianceforcareathome.org
Hannah Kristan | 202-355-1647