The Alliance Celebrates the Dole Act Becoming Law, Expanding Access to Care and Benefits for Veterans
(Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC) – The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing S. 141, the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, into law on Thursday, January 2. This landmark legislation includes several key provisions to enhance care and benefits for Veterans and their families, including Section 301, Gerald’s Law. Gerald’s Law addresses a critical gap in benefits for Veterans by ensuring that families of terminally-ill Veterans receiving Veterans Affairs (VA)-furnished hospice care—whether at home, in a nursing home, or in another non-VA setting—retain access to their full VA burial allowance.
Additionally, the Dole Act introduces several transformative changes aimed at improving access to care and support for Veterans and their families. It expands coverage for home care by permitting it as an alternative to nursing home care, increasing the spending limit from 65 percent of nursing facility costs to 100 percent. The legislation also provides targeted support for hiring home aides in rural areas, helping to address workforce shortages in underserved regions. Furthermore, it establishes resources and information to assist Veterans and their families in navigating and accessing home care options, ensuring they have the tools needed to make informed decisions about their care.
“We are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support that made these critical reforms possible,” said Dr. Steve Landers, CEO for the Alliance. “This legislation ensures that Veterans and their families have greater flexibility and support when accessing the care they need, whether through hospice services, home care, or other settings. We thank Senators Moran, Tester, and Hassan, Representatives Ciscomani, Bost, Brownley, and Takano, and many others for their leadership, as well as President Biden for signing this important bill into law.”
The Alliance has been a key advocate for this legislation, working to educate congressional offices about the resources required for Veterans needing serious illness and end-of-life care. Nearly 350,000 Veterans die annually in the United States, with 95 percent dying outside VA facilities. As of 2024, over 3,000 hospice and community partners have committed to providing Veteran-centric care through the Alliance’s We Honor Veterans program. This underscores the ongoing need for equitable benefits and access to care for all Veterans, regardless of where they receive services.
For more information on care for Veterans at the end of life, please visit wehonorveterans.org.
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About the National Alliance for Care at Home
The National Alliance for Care at Home (the Alliance) is a new national organization representing providers of home care, home health, hospice, palliative care, and other health care services mainly delivered in the home. The Alliance brings together two organizations with nearly 90 years of combined experience: NAHC and NHPCO. NAHC and NHPCO have combined operations to better serve members and lead into the future of care offered in the home. Learn more at www.AllianceForCareAtHome.org.
Press Contacts
communications@allianceforcareathome.org
Elyssa Katz | 571-281-0220
Thomas Threlkeld | 202-547-7424
