Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
Description
This bill would expand VA support for family caregivers through extended medical coverage, retirement planning, and employment assistance.
Summary
What it does
This bill would expand support services for participants in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers by extending medical care coverage for 180 days after a caregiver's designation ends and providing new bereavement counseling. The proposal would require the VA to offer retirement planning services and employment assistance, including support for caregivers transitioning back into the workforce after their service ends. Additionally, the bill mandates studies on the feasibility of establishing retirement savings plans for caregivers and reports on the effectiveness of VA efforts to support caregivers during life transitions.
Who is affected
This bill primarily affects family caregivers enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, as well as the veterans receiving care under this program. It also impacts federal agencies, specifically requiring the VA to expand its support services and the Department of Labor and Government Accountability Office to conduct studies and reports. Certain benefits and transition services apply to primary family caregivers who are discharged or dismissed from the program, provided they were not removed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment.
Key provisions
- Extension of medical care coverage. Extends medical care coverage for primary family caregivers for 180 days after their program designation is removed, provided they were not dismissed for fraud or mistreatment and are not eligible for Medicare.
- Bereavement and retirement support services. Requires the VA to provide bereavement counseling to caregivers following a veteran's death and retirement planning services to primary family caregivers.
- Employment and workforce transition assistance. Directs the VA to provide primary family caregivers with support in transitioning from caregiving and assistance in returning to the workforce during and for 180 days after their tenure.
- Feasibility studies on retirement and employment. Mandates studies on the feasibility of establishing retirement savings for caregivers and, in partnership with the Department of Labor, a program to assist caregivers in returning to the workforce.
- GAO reporting on caregiver transitions. Requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report evaluating the VA's efforts to support family caregivers as they transition out of their caregiving roles.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 2148, Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment and Retirement Act· As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on February 12, 2026
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill expands the scope of the Department of Veterans Affairs' existing Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers by extending medical coverage periods and adding new requirements for bereavement counseling, retirement planning, and workforce transition services. It also requires coordination with the Department of Labor to evaluate employment assistance programs for caregivers.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to expand the support and assistance available to family caregivers under the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. It focuses on providing long-term stability by extending medical coverage, offering bereavement and retirement planning services, and establishing workforce reentry and transition assistance for caregivers.