Hirono Continues Work to Protect Nursing Home Coverage for Hawaii Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee heard testimony in support of S. 683, Senator Mazie K. Hirono’s bipartisan Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act. Sen. Hirono’s bill would extend an expiring requirement under law that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide nursing care for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Without extension by Congress beyond December 31, 2017, VA would no longer be required to provide this coverage. Around 350 Hawaii veterans at nine public and private facilities across the state depend on VA reimbursement for their nursing home care needs.

From Senator Hirono’s statement at the hearing:

“In February, I visited Hale Makua Health Services on Maui which operates the only two free standing nursing homes on the island and would be impacted by a lapse in the program. Wes Lo, Hale Makua’s CEO, said that passing the bill is needed so that more veterans on Maui will be able to receive around the clock nursing care and supervision in his homes. We must keep our commitment to these veterans which is why I am grateful to all the veteran service organizations here today for their testimony in support of the bill.”

The Keeping Our Commitment to Disabled Veterans Act is cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Angus King (I-Maine), and Edward Markey (D-Mass.).

Representatives of the American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) offered testimony in favor of Senator Hirono’s bill.

Click on the photo above to watch video from the hearing

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