WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – and Angus King (I-Maine) – member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – introduced legislation to better coordinate and manage health care for veterans who are enrolled in both Medicare and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) healthcare system.

Millions of veterans are enrolled in both Medicare and the VA health care system. These dual enrollees often experience gaps in care and difficulty managing services from two government agencies. The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act would create a three-year pilot program where veterans who are enrolled in both Medicare and VA health care would be assigned a case manager to help them develop individualized care plans and manage the delivery of health care services in an effort to increase access to care, eliminate duplication of services, improve quality of care and lower expenses for taxpayers.

“Helping veterans, as well as their caregivers and providers, understand and navigate both Medicare and VA health care will eliminate gaps in care, improve outcomes and quality and lower expenses for taxpayers,” said Sen. Moran. “The Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act helps make certain veterans can fully use the care they have qualified for and earned through their service. I am grateful to Sen. King for co-leading this bill and our veterans service organization partners for their support.”

“Our veterans gave their very best while serving and they deserve that same focus in return long after they’ve hung up the uniform,” said Sen. King. “Navigating the VA health care system is already challenging enough, but for veterans who also receive benefits through Medicare, it can be extra difficult to navigate between the two providers — both for veterans and caregivers. The bipartisan Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act will work to seamlessly merge and coordinate care between the VA and Medicare, helping to connect the dots for former servicemembers, eliminate duplicative services and lower costs for taxpayers. It’s a win-win across the board.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.

“Wounded Warrior Project is pleased to support the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Access Act,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President for Government and Community Relations for the Wounded Warrior Project. “Innovative pilot programs like the one envisioned by this bill help us better understand what's possible in our effort to improve the systems of care that support our nation's heroes.? With better case coordination and health care outcomes as the goal, this pilot program can help younger veterans who use Medicare earlier in life because of catastrophic injuries from military service.? We thank Senators Moran and King for their vision and leadership on this issue and urge Congress to pass this important legislation.”

“Many veterans with disabilities rely on both VA health care and Medicare to meet their healthcare needs,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “This can lead to a duplication of care, poor coordination of services, higher costs; and in the worst of cases, endangers the health and wellbeing of the veteran. PVA supports the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, which tests VA’s ability to coordinate and manage care and benefits between these two systems for covered veterans.”

"AMVETS proudly endorses the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act,” said Joe Chenelly, the National Executive Director of AMVETS. “Ensuring easy access to healthcare services and seamless system interoperability is essential for all veterans."

“We hear from caregivers every day who struggle to navigate the complex system of available VA services on behalf of their loved ones,” said Steve Schwab, Chief Executive Officer of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. “Too often, this means that the veteran is unable to access needed care, and the caregiver suffers added stress, anxiety, and frustration. Therefore, we are very pleased that Chairman Moran and Senator King are joining together to re-introduce the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act to help these especially vulnerable veterans and their families connect to vital programs.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Donald Davis (D-N.C.) and Michael Turner (R-Ohio).

# # #