Bill Overview
Title: Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends increased dependency and indemnity compensation to the surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) regardless of how long the veteran had such disease prior to death. Under current law, such compensation is paid for a service-connected disability that was rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least eight years immediately preceding death.
Sponsors: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Target Audience
Population: Surviving spouses of veterans who died from ALS
Estimated Size: 3000
- The bill extends a specific type of compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who died of ALS.
- Currently, this compensation is only available if the ALS was determined to be totally disabling for at least eight years prior to death.
- ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no known cure, and veterans who have served may be at increased risk of developing ALS.
- The key population affected is therefore surviving spouses of veterans who died from ALS.
Reasoning
- The primary focus of the policy is on the surviving spouses of veterans who died from ALS without benefiting from the full dependency and indemnity compensation due to the previous requirement of a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least eight years prior to death.
- There are approximately 3,000 estimated surviving spouses who could potentially be affected by this policy.
- The budget allocation suggests a focus on immediate and substantial compensation to these families, within fiscal limits.
- Not everyone in the target population will have had a veteran spouse who met the prior criteria, meaning the policy change could be highly significant to those currently excluded.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Ohio)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My husband served his country, and although he was diagnosed with ALS, we were denied full compensation because he didn't live with it for eight years.
- This new policy would have given us some dignity and help during a trying time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Retired Teacher (Florida)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- After my spouse's passing, financial struggles were compounded by our inability to access full benefits. The policy change would directly help people like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Nurse (Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The existing policy felt unjust, as our service to the nation was left unrewarded. The new bill will provide overdue relief.
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 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Corporate Manager (California)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We struggled financially after losing him so soon. The policy would have made a huge difference in managing our finances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Sales Representative (New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The struggle has been relentless due to lack of compensation. This policy alleviates the financial burden unfairly placed on us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Retired (Illinois)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always felt abandoned by the system. The policy change offers peace of mind and support that was missing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 1 |
Homemaker (Georgia)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without benefits, my life took a downturn after my husband's death. The new bill offers a safety net.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Retired Civil Servant (Pennsylvania)
Age: 78 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I relied partly on her benefits. The expanded policy would honor her service and shield me from financial uncertainty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 1 |
Artist (Nevada)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The short marriage period after diagnosis left me without crucial support when he passed. The policy is long overdue.
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 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired Architect (Virginia)
Age: 75 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Navigating life without my wife's support has been tremendously difficult. The policy eases the absence of her benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 5: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 10: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Key Considerations
- Expansion of benefits will increase the financial obligations of the Department of Veterans Affairs indefinitely.
- The bill acknowledges ALS as a severe condition often leading to death before qualifying for the existing long-term disability requirements.
- ALS is recognized as service-connected, justifying the expanded eligibility for compensation.