Kings County Times

On September 20, 2024, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) and House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12) introduced the VA Extenders Act of 2024. The bill aims to extend certain Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) authorities that are set to expire at the end of the fiscal year.

“Veterans have made incredible sacrifices for our freedom, and it is our responsibility to see that they continue receiving the benefits and services they’ve earned,” said Congressman Valadao. “This legislation ensures the VA can continue providing services our veterans and their families rely on, like resources for homeless veterans, new treatment options for PTSD, transportation services for medical appointments, and more. Making sure our veterans can continue accessing these critical services is the least we can do for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. I look forward to working alongside Chairman Bost and my colleagues in the House and Senate to get this bill signed into law.”

“We must ensure that VA maintains the authority to deliver critical health care services and benefits to veterans,” said Chairman Bost. “I want to thank my friend and colleague, Rep. Valadao, for leading the VA Extenders Act of 2024 on behalf of veterans and their families. This year’s extenders bill includes important provisions guaranteeing that VA will continue to provide crucial services like inpatient nursing home care, mental health care access for rural veterans, alternative therapy options for treating PTSD, vitally important homelessness prevention services, and more. As Chairman, I am proud to work with Rep. Valadao, as well as my colleagues in the House and Senate, on this important legislation and I look forward to sending it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.”

Among other provisions, the VA Extenders Act of 2024 extends VA’s authority to:

- Operate a grant program that encourages developing specially adapted house assistive technology enabling more disabled veterans to live independently.

- Operate the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) program which provides outreach, case management, residential treatment, community partner coordination, and resources.

- Operate a grant program assisting community organizations serving homeless veterans with special needs including women veterans; elderly or terminally ill veterans; mentally ill veterans; or those caring for children.

- Provide critical transportation services through its Veterans Transportation Services Program for medical appointments.

- Carry out a pilot program under the Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-171), offering access to alternative mental health therapies such as animal therapy.

The full text of the bill is available online.