H.R. 2148 / S.879:
Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

Supporting caregivers after caregiving ends through healthcare continuation, workforce transition assistance, bereavement support, and retirement planning initiatives.

Veteran Warriors Position (Short Summary):

Veteran Warriors supports H.R. 2148 and S.879 as positive steps toward helping caregivers transition after caregiving ends. However, the legislation does not address several major concerns affecting PCAFC families, including eligibility consistency, due process protections, appeals, and long-term financial stability. Veteran Warriors encourages Congress to continue pursuing comprehensive caregiver reform.

Introduced

March 6, 2025

March 14, 2025

Sponsor

Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]

Committee

Senate Veterans' Affairs

Status: S879

House Veterans' Affairs

Status: H.R. 2148

Focus

Caregiver Transition Support

What does the bill do?

Continued Health Coverage

Provides up to 180 days of continued healthcare coverage for eligible caregivers leaving PCAFC.

Employment Assistance

Helps caregivers renew licenses, certifications, and access workforce transition resources.

Bereavement Support

Provides counseling and support after the death of a veteran.

Workforce Reentry

Assists caregivers returning to work after years spent providing care.

Retirement Planning

Directs VA to study retirement options for long-term family caregivers.

FAQ

Who qualifies?

The bill primarily applies to individuals designated by the VA as a Primary Family Caregiver under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

Potential beneficiaries include:

✅ Current Primary Family Caregivers participating in PCAFC

✅ Former Primary Family Caregivers transitioning out of PCAFC (for certain limited post-program benefits)

✅ Bereaved caregivers following the death of an eligible veteran

The bill generally does not apply to:

Veterans themselves
Secondary Family Caregivers
Individuals who have never been approved for PCAFC
Caregivers removed from the program for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment

To receive the benefits proposed in S.879, an individual would first need to qualify for and be designated as a Primary Family Caregiver under existing PCAFC requirements.

Does this create retirement benefits?

No.

S.879 does not establish a retirement account, pension, retirement contribution, or retirement savings benefit for caregivers.

Instead, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to study the feasibility and advisability of:

Creating retirement savings options for caregivers; or
Allowing caregivers to participate in an existing retirement savings pathway.

The bill would require only a report to Congress and would not guarantee any future retirement benefit.

Does it restore removed caregivers?

No.

S.879 does not restore caregivers who were previously removed or discharged from PCAFC.

The bill does not:

Reevaluate prior removals
Reopen denied applications
Reinstate benefits
Modify appeal outcomes

However, caregivers who leave the program (other than for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment) could receive certain transition benefits, such as:

Up to 180 days of continued healthcare coverage (if otherwise eligible)
Workforce transition assistance
Employment support services

These benefits would not restore PCAFC participation or stipend payments.

Does this increase caregiver stipends?

No.

S.879 does not increase the monthly stipend paid to Primary Family Caregivers participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

The bill focuses on:

Healthcare continuation after leaving the program
Employment and workforce transition assistance
Bereavement counseling
Retirement planning studies

The legislation does not modify the stipend formula, stipend rates, or the method used to calculate caregiver compensation.

Does this expand eligibility?

No.

S.879 does not change the eligibility requirements for veterans or caregivers seeking admission into PCAFC.

The bill does not:

Expand access to additional veterans
Create automatic eligibility categories
Modify the Caregiver Eligibility Assessment Tool (CEAT)
Change the definition of personal care services
Alter the requirement that veterans meet PCAFC eligibility criteria

Current eligibility rules would remain unchanged.

Veteran Warriors Position

Veteran Warriors Supports the Intent of the Legislation

Veteran Warriors supports efforts to recognize the sacrifices made by family caregivers who often leave careers, delay retirement planning, lose professional opportunities, and experience financial hardship while caring for severely disabled veterans.

The provisions related to:

Continued healthcare coverage
Workforce reentry assistance
Employment support
Bereavement counseling
Examination of retirement solutions

represent meaningful recognition of challenges faced by caregivers both during and after their caregiving journey.

Veteran Warriors Believes Additional Reforms Are Still Needed

While H.R. 2148 and S.879 address important transition issues, the legislation does not address several of the most significant concerns raised by caregivers participating in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).

Veteran Warriors believes Congress should also consider:

1. Caregiver Eligibility Reform

Many veterans and caregivers continue to face inconsistent eligibility determinations.

Additional reforms should ensure:

Fair and consistent eligibility decisions
Recognition of chronic and progressive conditions
Recognition of cognitive, neurological, and behavioral impairments
Greater reliance on treating providers

2. Due Process Protections

Caregivers should have confidence that benefits cannot be removed without a fair process.

Additional reforms should strengthen:

Transparency
Documentation requirements
Appeals rights
Independent review processes

3. Financial Stability for Caregivers

Caregivers frequently leave the workforce for years to provide care.

Veteran Warriors believes Congress should continue exploring:

Long-term retirement solutions
Protection against sudden benefit loss
Additional financial safeguards for caregiving families

4. Caregiver Recognition

Family caregivers are often essential members of a veteran's healthcare team.

Future reforms should continue examining ways to improve:

Communication
Access to information
Care coordination
Support services

Overall Assessment

Veteran Warriors views H.R. 2148 and S.879 as a positive step toward recognizing the long-term impact caregiving has on employment, healthcare access, and retirement security.

However, these bills are best viewed as caregiver transition legislation rather than comprehensive PCAFC reform.

Additional legislative action remains necessary to address eligibility, due process, transparency, and long-term caregiver financial security.

H.R. 2148 / S.879: Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act