Bill Overview
Title: Supporting All Veteran Families Act
Description: This bill updates terminology related to marriage under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including by removing the specification that a spouse must be a person of the opposite sex.
Sponsors: Rep. Newman, Marie [D-IL-3]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans, particularly those in LGBTQ marriages, and their families
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill changes terminology related to marriage under veteran-related laws to be more inclusive, implying that it will impact married veterans, especially those in same-sex marriages.
- According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are approximately 19.5 million veterans in the United States.
- A significant portion of veterans are married, and the change in terminology suggests an impact particularly on those in same-sex marriages and their families.
- A study from 2016 estimated that there were around 1 million LGBTQ veterans in the United States.
- This act will specifically make a difference for these LGBTQ veterans and their families by officially recognizing their marriages under veteran-related benefits.
Reasoning
- With approximately 19.5 million veterans in the U.S., and an estimated 1 million LGBTQ veterans, this policy primarily targets those in same-sex marriages, which would be a subset of the LGBTQ veterans.
- The policy's budget is constrained to $50,000,000 in the first year and $141,500,000 over ten years, focusing on revising legal definitions and administering these benefits, indicating a potentially moderate impact per person.
- The wellbeing of individuals in these scenarios will vary based on personal, familial, and community acceptance, access to veteran benefits, and existing support systems. The policy seeks to equate benefits for same-sex and opposite-sex marriages, potentially increasing well-being scores over time for those currently disadvantaged.
- The policy might not affect those who are either single, in opposite-sex marriages, or not eligible for veteran benefits due to other criteria.
Simulated Interviews
Veteran's Advocate (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a long time coming. Our family has struggled with the recognition, and this will validate many relationships and provide equal benefits.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Healthcare worker (New York, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe in equality for all. While this doesn't impact me directly, it's a positive move towards inclusivity.
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 |
Veteran, Retired Engineer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy does not affect me directly, but I support all veterans getting equitable treatment.
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 |
Software Developer (Portland, OR)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly improve our quality of life by simplifying access to benefits that other married couples receive without question.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Veteran, Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time people in same-sex marriages get the same recognition and benefits. I support all my fellow 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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Veteran, Police Officer (Minneapolis, MN)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We're relieved this change is happening. It's crucial for our family that our marriage is recognized in every aspect, especially benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Freelance Writer (Miami, FL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I'm not directly impacted right now, it's encouraging to see progress for the LGBTQ community, especially within institutions like the VA.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Veteran's Service Officer (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy means a lot to some of the clients I work with, ensuring equal treatment under VA laws.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Psychologist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's heartening to see so many of my clients' concerns addressed through policy changes like this. It builds trust in the system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired Military Officer (Columbus, OH)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always believed that everyone should have the same rights and benefits. This bill brings us closer to that goal.
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: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $25000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $100000, High: $1000000)
Key Considerations
- The primary impact is the administrative and policy alignment cost to include same-sex marriages under veteran benefits.
- Potential for increased claims on certain benefits by newly eligible same-sex married veterans.
- No direct economic stimulus but implications for equity and fairness in benefit distribution.
- Veteran Affairs' administrative costs in implementing these changes could be non-negligible initially.