Bill Overview
Title: Veterans Homecare Choice Act of 2022
Description: This bill includes any nurse registry as an eligible health care provider under the Veterans Community Care Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the bill, a nurse registry is a person who satisfies applicable state licensure requirements and procures, or attempts to procure, contracts or agreements on behalf of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, companions, or homemakers under which such individuals may furnish health care-related or assistive services and receive compensation.
Sponsors: Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-18]
Target Audience
Population: Veterans who may use homecare services
Estimated Size: 19000000
- The bill modifies the Veterans Community Care Program, which provides health care benefits to veterans.
- It includes nurse registries as part of the health care providers that veterans can choose from, potentially expanding care options for veterans.
- Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, companions, or homemakers connected to these registries may be impacted as they may have increased opportunities for employment through veterans' care.
- There are approximately 19 million veterans in the United States according to the latest statistics by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Not all veterans will seek or need care under this program, but it potentially affects those who require community-based care and homecare services.
- The inclusion of a nurse registry may make it easier for veterans to have access to homecare services that can be reimbursed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts veterans who are in need of community-based health care services, potentially increasing access through nurse registries.
- The expansion of provider options could lead to improved well-being for veterans who prefer or need more flexible or geographically diverse care options.
- The policy has a financial limit, which suggests that not all potential beneficiaries might experience the anticipated increase in services immediately.
- A large proportion of veterans may be elderly or have chronic health conditions, making community-based and home care particularly relevant.
- The policy could stimulate job growth among health care providers such as nurses, benefiting both veterans and the health care community.
Simulated Interviews
construction worker (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to more providers will be great, but I'm worried about actually being able to navigate all the options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
retired (Florida)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more home care options might help me stay at home longer instead of going to a nursing home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
tech consultant (California)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't personally need the care now, but it's good to know there are options for when I do.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
retired engineer (Ohio)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The flexibility to choose care closer to home is very appealing as traveling is quite hard for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
registered nurse (New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may give me more opportunities to work with veterans through different registries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
homemaker (Virginia)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More care options would be beneficial, especially to back me up as a caregiver.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
student (Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited at the prospect of new job opportunities through the nurse registries once I graduate.
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 teacher (Arizona)
Age: 73 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved access to in-home care is crucial for maintaining my independence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
semi-retired (Washington)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I welcome more flexible care solutions but hope it's easy to access and not overly bureaucratic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
homemaker (Oregon)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for managing my household better is a priority with this initiative. More accessible care for veterans like me would be fantastic.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $700000000)
Year 2: $550000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $750000000)
Year 3: $605000000 (Low: $495000000, High: $830000000)
Year 5: $730000000 (Low: $600000000, High: $980000000)
Year 10: $1000000000 (Low: $830000000, High: $1250000000)
Year 100: $1400000000 (Low: $1160000000, High: $1700000000)
Key Considerations
- The stability and readiness of nurse registries to cater to a potentially increased demand must be assessed.
- A gradual increase in program costs can be expected as more veterans become aware of and use this expanded benefit.
- Efficiency in administration and claims processing at the Department of Veterans Affairs will be critical for controlling costs.
- Impact on veteran satisfaction and health outcomes due to better access to home care services should be monitored.