H.R. 2738 – Reading Mode

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2738

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 4, 2009

Mr. Teague introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide travel expenses for family caregivers accompanying veterans to medical treatment facilities.

Lodging and subsistence for family caregivers

(a)

In general

Section 111(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by striking When any and inserting (1) When any;

(2)

in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection—

(A)

by striking (other than an employee of the Department) and inserting , including a family caregiver (as defined in section 1701(11)) and excluding an employee of the Department,;

(B)

by inserting (including lodging and subsistence) after expenses of travel; and

(C)

by inserting before the period at the end the following:

during—

(A)

the period of time in which such person is traveling to and from a treatment facility; and

(B)

the duration of the treatment episode for such person

; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(2)

The Secretary may prescribe regulations to carry out this subsection. Such regulations may include provisions—

(A)

to limit the number of attendants that may receive expenses of travel under paragraph (1) for a single treatment episode of a person; and

(B)

to require attendants to use certain travel services.

(b)

Definition of family caregiver

Section 1701 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(10)

The term caregiver services means noninstitutional extended care (as used in section 1701(6) of this title), including homemaker and home health aid services.

(11)

The term family caregiver means an individual who—

(A)

is a member of the family (including parents, spouses, children, siblings, step-family members, and extended family members) of a disabled veteran;

(B)

provides caregiver services to such veteran for such disability; and

(C)

may or may not reside with such veteran.

(c)

Conforming amendments

Section 111 of title 38, United States Code, is further amended—

(1)

in subsection (d)(3), by inserting (including a family caregiver defined in section 1701) after attendant; and

(2)

in subsection (f), by inserting (including a family caregiver defined in section 1701) after attendants.