Coalition Endorses Gerald’s Law Act

The National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care endorsed the Gerald’s Law Act. The Gerald’s Law Act is a bill introduced in the 118th Congress (2023-2024). It requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies from a non-service-connected disability in a home or other setting where the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care) This legislation aims to support veterans and their families during end-of-life arrangements.

Under current law, VA hospice care provided at home does not qualify as a ‘death under VA care’ and is therefore not fully covered under the nonservice-connected burial and plot benefit. As such, surviving families do not receive full benefits if the Veteran elects to die at home under VA provided hospice care. Legislative action is required to empower the Department of Veterans Affairs to correct this oversight.

For more information, visit the following websites: 1.) NHCPO’s Take Action and 2.) H.R.234 – 118th Congress (2023-2024): Gerald’s Law Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress