Bill Overview
Title: Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022
Description: This bill addresses home care and caregiver programs for veterans.
Sponsors: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans and their caregivers
Estimated Size: 36000000
- The bill is focused on veterans, a population that is defined by service in the military.
- The number of veterans worldwide is roughly around 20 million.
- The bill also addresses caregivers, who provide assistance to veterans in home or community settings.
- Considering global statistics, caregivers could number similarly if every veteran has at least one caregiver.
Reasoning
- The target population is veterans and their caregivers, who are estimated to be around 36 million in the US, including roughly 18 million veterans.
- Not all veterans will be equally impacted—some may not need home care, or already have adequate support.
- The budget constraints mean prioritizing those in greatest need, based on factors like disability, age, or lack of existing support.
- While improvements in well-being are expected, they will scale with the level of need and extent of policy application.
- The impact of the policy will range from none to high, depending on individual circumstances.
Simulated Interviews
Retired veteran (Texas)
Age: 74 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy could help stabilize my health issues as I age.
- Consistent support would lift some burden off my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Caregiver (California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to resources would ease the financial and emotional stress.
- The policy might allow me more time to take care of personal needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Veteran services administrator (Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might improve the quality of our service programs.
- It could complicate our current resource distribution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired caregiver (Ohio)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More recognition and support for caregivers is overdue.
- Could provide more structure and resources to volunteer in this area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support my fellow veterans in need, even if I don't currently require the service.
- This policy reflects positively on the respect veterans receive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Part-time caregiver (Oregon)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy provides more structured support and resources.
- Balancing caregiving and a job has been tough without adequate support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (North Carolina)
Age: 85 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this means more personal assistance, it could greatly help me.
- I want to remain independent as long as possible, and this may facilitate that.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Registered nurse (Illinois)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might reduce caregiver burnout I see daily.
- Improved support could lead to better health outcomes for veterans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired factory worker (Georgia)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanded home care would help mitigate some of my PTSD symptoms.
- Law changes should prioritize mental health services more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Recent military discharge (Colorado)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Programs like these show that we value all veterans equally.
- While it doesn't affect me now, one never knows what future needs may arise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $750000000, High: $1250000000)
Year 2: $1100000000 (Low: $850000000, High: $1350000000)
Year 3: $1200000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1450000000)
Year 5: $1400000000 (Low: $1150000000, High: $1650000000)
Year 10: $1500000000 (Low: $1250000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 100: $1800000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2100000000)
Key Considerations
- The capacity of current home care providers and how quickly they can scale up services.
- The effectiveness of caregiver support programs in reducing long-term healthcare costs.
- Potential overlap or integration with existing veteran support programs.