H.R. 2148 — Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

This section revises eligibility for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA)—which provides coverage similar to TRICARE for spouses, children, and certain caregivers of veterans with service-connected total permanent disabilities or who died from such disabilities—by (1) extending coverage for individuals designated as primary providers of personal care services under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (38 U.S.C. § 1720G(a)(7)(A)) for the 180-day period following removal of such designation, unless dismissed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment; and (2) excluding from such extended coverage any caregiver entitled to Medicare Part A hospital insurance benefits during that period.

This section amends the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers (38 U.S.C. § 1720G)—which provides stipends, training, counseling, and other support to designated family caregivers (including primary providers) of eligible veterans needing personal care services due to serious service-connected injuries—(1) to establish employment assistance for primary providers, including reimbursement up to $1,000 lifetime for certification or relicensure fees, no-cost access to VA training modules for continuing professional education, and access (in consultation with DOD and DOL) to Military OneSource, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, and appropriate VA employment programs, available during program participation and for 180 days thereafter unless dismissed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment; (2) to expand access to counseling and related services under the program to include retirement planning and, for 180 days post-program (unless dismissed for cause), transition instruction, preparation, training, and support; (3) to further provide, upon program discharge or dismissal (unless for cause), assistance returning to the workforce; and (4) to include bereavement counseling and support following the eligible veteran's death. This section further requires the VA Secretary, not later than one year after enactment, to complete in partnership with DOL a study on the feasibility and advisability of a returnship program for such primary providers to aid workforce reentry, with a report due 180 days thereafter to the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees; and, separately, to complete a study on barriers and incentives to hiring former primary providers at VA facilities to address staffing needs, with a report due 180 days thereafter including a hiring plan and legislative or administrative recommendations.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to Congress, not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act, a report assessing the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to support family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (38 U.S.C. §1720G(a))—which provides stipends, training, counseling, and other services to caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans—in transitioning away from caregiving through retirement planning or returning to work.

This section directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and other relevant entities, to submit to Congress, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, a report on the feasibility and advisability of establishing an individual retirement plan (as defined in 26 U.S.C. §7701(a)(37)) or similar plan, or permitting participation in an existing retirement savings pathway, for family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (38 U.S.C. §1720G(a)). (The program provides stipends, training, counseling, and other support to caregivers of veterans with severe service-connected disabilities incurred in post-9/11 military service.)