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Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

USA119th CongressS-879| Senate 
| Updated: 7/30/2025
Jerry Moran

Jerry Moran

Republican Senator

Kansas

Cosponsors (3)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act," aims to significantly expand benefits for individuals designated as primary family caregivers for certain veterans. It extends medical care coverage for these caregivers for a 180-day period following the end of their designation, unless they were dismissed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment. However, this extended medical care is not available to caregivers who are already entitled to Medicare hospital insurance benefits during that 180-day period. The legislation introduces new employment assistance for caregivers, including reimbursement for certification or relicensure fees, up to a lifetime maximum of $1,000. Caregivers will also gain access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training modules for continuing professional education and be referred to employment assistance programs through Military OneSource, the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, and other VA programs. These employment benefits are available both during their active caregiving role and for 180 days after their participation in the program concludes, again with an exception for dismissal due to misconduct. Furthermore, the bill expands other available services to caregivers, incorporating retirement planning services and assistance with transitioning away from caregiving, including support for returning to the workforce. It also explicitly includes bereavement counseling and support for caregivers following the death of the eligible veteran. The bill mandates several studies, including one on the feasibility of a "returnship" program for former caregivers and another on barriers and incentives to hiring former caregivers within the VA to address staffing needs. A report on the feasibility of establishing retirement plans or savings pathways for family caregivers is also required, along with a Comptroller General report assessing VA efforts to support caregivers transitioning out of their role.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3885
Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 12, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2148
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3885
    Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act


  • March 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 12, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2148
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2148: Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
Congressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployment and training programsFamily relationshipsGovernment studies and investigationsHealth personnelMedicareVeterans' medical care

Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act

USA119th CongressS-879| Senate 
| Updated: 7/30/2025
This bill, titled the "Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act," aims to significantly expand benefits for individuals designated as primary family caregivers for certain veterans. It extends medical care coverage for these caregivers for a 180-day period following the end of their designation, unless they were dismissed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment. However, this extended medical care is not available to caregivers who are already entitled to Medicare hospital insurance benefits during that 180-day period. The legislation introduces new employment assistance for caregivers, including reimbursement for certification or relicensure fees, up to a lifetime maximum of $1,000. Caregivers will also gain access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training modules for continuing professional education and be referred to employment assistance programs through Military OneSource, the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service, and other VA programs. These employment benefits are available both during their active caregiving role and for 180 days after their participation in the program concludes, again with an exception for dismissal due to misconduct. Furthermore, the bill expands other available services to caregivers, incorporating retirement planning services and assistance with transitioning away from caregiving, including support for returning to the workforce. It also explicitly includes bereavement counseling and support for caregivers following the death of the eligible veteran. The bill mandates several studies, including one on the feasibility of a "returnship" program for former caregivers and another on barriers and incentives to hiring former caregivers within the VA to address staffing needs. A report on the feasibility of establishing retirement plans or savings pathways for family caregivers is also required, along with a Comptroller General report assessing VA efforts to support caregivers transitioning out of their role.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3885
Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Feb 12, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2148
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3885
    Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act


  • March 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • May 21, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-86.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • February 12, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2148
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jerry Moran

Jerry Moran

Republican Senator

Kansas

Cosponsors (3)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Mike Rounds (Republican)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2148: Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightDepartment of Veterans AffairsEmployee benefits and pensionsEmployee hiringEmployment and training programsFamily relationshipsGovernment studies and investigationsHealth personnelMedicareVeterans' medical care