VA to expand caregivers program

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110503/ap_on_re_us/us_veterans_caregivers

The Veterans Affairs Department reversed course Tuesday and said it will make sure more caregivers of severely disabled Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can receive the support they need to help their wounded relatives.

President Barack Obama signed a law in May of last year that provided a monthly stipend, mental health help and health insurance to family members who provide around-the-clock care to these veterans.

But when the VA announced earlier this year how the caregivers program would work, advocates and congressional members said it helped fewer families than they had expected. Among those who likely were not eligible were Sarah and Ted Wade, who stood with Obama at the bill signing. Ted Wade lost his right arm and sustained a traumatic brain injury in a roadside bombing in Iraq in 2004 while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division.

The VA now says about 3,500 families will be eligible, which is how many Sen. Patty Murray, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, has said Congress wanted. Under the earlier plan, the VA said about 10 percent of the critically wounded from the recent conflicts would be eligible, which was about 850 veterans. The plan will cost about $770 million over five years.

[jwirr]

1. I am very glad they did this but as a caregiver of a disabled family

member I am jealous. This will help keep them out of some nursing home and in their own homes.