WASHINGTON — Taking care of the people who take care of America's heroes.
A new bill that aims to increase mental health resources for veterans' caregivers has passed in the full House of Representatives.
The "Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement," or 'COPE' Act, would increase mental health resources available to caregivers of America's veteran population.
The bill authorizes $50 million each year for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 for grants that could be used to expand existing services or to create new programs.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the legislation on Monday by a voice vote.
The measure was co-sponsored by Virginia 2nd District Representative Jen Kiggans.
"So, we want the best possible care for our veterans. But I want to be able to support their caregivers. It's often a group that overlooks their own physical health, their own emotional and mental well-being to take care of veterans," she said in an interview with 13 News Now.
Kiggans continued: "I can think of not better bill for a nurse practitioner who's also a Navy veteran than to have a bill pass off the floor of the U.S. House that has to do with health care for our veterans. And not only taking care of our veterans' health care, but the people who provide that health care: their caregivers."
The COPE Act has been endorsement by the AARP.
The bill must still be voted upon in the Senate.