Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act
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Would expand medical, employment, and retirement benefits for family members who serve as primary caregivers for veterans under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, extending protections into the transition period after caregiving ends.
The bill addresses a gap caregivers face when their role ends: loss of VA health coverage, workforce disconnection, and no retirement savings pathway — offering a more complete safety net for people who sacrificed careers to care for veterans.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would expand the support available to primary family caregivers enrolled in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. It would extend their VA medical coverage for 180 days after their caregiver designation ends (with exceptions for dismissals due to fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, and for those already covered by Medicare). It would add bereavement counseling after a veteran's death, retirement planning services during the program, and employment assistance — including reimbursement of up to $1,000 lifetime for professional certification or relicensure fees, free access to VA training modules for continuing education, and connections to job programs run by the VA, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Defense.
The bill would also require several studies and reports: the VA and Department of Labor would study the feasibility of a "returnship" workforce re-entry program for former caregivers; the VA would separately study barriers and incentives to hiring former caregivers at VA facilities; the VA would report to Congress on the feasibility of establishing a retirement plan or savings pathway for caregivers; and the Government Accountability Office would assess VA efforts to support caregiver transitions overall.
Key provisions
- 1Would extend VA medical care coverage for primary family caregivers for 180 days after their caregiver designation ends, unless dismissed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, or entitled to Medicare.
- 2Would add bereavement counseling and support to services VA must provide to family caregivers following the death of the veteran they were caring for.
- 3Would require the VA to provide retirement planning services to primary family caregivers as part of the program's available services.
- 4Would provide employment assistance to primary caregivers — including reimbursement of certification or relicensure fees up to $1,000 lifetime, free continuing education modules, and access to federal employment programs — while enrolled and for 180 days after leaving the program.
- 5Would require the VA, in partnership with the Department of Labor, to study and report on the feasibility of a returnship program to help former caregivers re-enter the workforce.
- 6Would require the VA to study and report on barriers and incentives to hiring former caregivers at VA facilities, including a plan to increase such employment opportunities.
- 7Would require the GAO to report to Congress on VA efforts supporting family caregivers in transitioning away from caregiving, and the VA to report on the feasibility of establishing a retirement plan or savings pathway for caregivers.
Who would be affected
Primary family caregivers — typically spouses, parents, or adult children — enrolled in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers who provide personal care to eligible veterans. The VA, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Defense would also be directed to take new administrative actions and partner on studies.
Why it matters
Family caregivers often leave the workforce entirely to care for veterans, accumulating gaps in employment, professional credentials, and retirement savings. If enacted, this bill would cushion the transition when caregiving ends by maintaining health coverage, providing job re-entry support, and initiating planning for a retirement savings pathway — addressing vulnerabilities that currently go largely unaddressed once the caregiver's VA designation is removed.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends 38 U.S.C. § 1781 (Sec. 2)
Extends medical care coverage for primary family caregivers to include the 180-day period after caregiver designation is removed; excludes those dismissed for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, or entitled to Medicare Part A.
Amends 38 U.S.C. § 1720G (Sec. 3)
Adds employment assistance subsection; expands available services to include retirement planning, workforce transition support, bereavement counseling, and 180-day post-program assistance.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- VA and DOL study on returnship program must be completed
- Report on returnship study submitted to Congress
- VA study on hiring former caregivers at VA facilities must be completed
- Report on VA hiring study submitted to Congress
- VA report on retirement plan or savings feasibility submitted to Congress
- GAO report on VA caregiver transition efforts submitted to Congress
Funding and costs
- $1,000
Maximum lifetime reimbursement per caregiver for professional certification or relicensure fees necessary for employment
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates H.R. 2148 would decrease net direct spending by $36 million over the 2026–2036 period, while increasing spending subject to appropriation (discretionary spending) by $72 million over the same period.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2148 would decrease net direct spending — mandatory spending controlled by program eligibility rules — by $36 million over 2026–2036, primarily because extending higher VA home loan guarantee fees would reduce the government's subsidy costs by $76 million, more than offsetting $40 million in new mandatory spending for expanded caregiver medical coverage and certification reimbursements. The bill would also increase discretionary spending subject to annual appropriations by $72 million over 2026–2036, driven by the health care coverage extension ($65 million) and certification reimbursements ($7 million). CBO found no revenues effects and identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
How implementation would work
The VA would implement new benefits largely through its existing program structure under 38 U.S.C. § 1720G, including contracting or agreements for retirement planning services and transition support. Employment assistance would be coordinated with the Departments of Labor and Defense. The VA would complete two internal studies within one year of enactment, then submit reports to the Veterans' Affairs committees within 180 days of each study's completion. The VA would also consult with the Treasury Department on a retirement savings feasibility report within one year. The GAO would independently assess VA transition-support efforts within two years.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Official CRS summary
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This bill expands support and assistance provided to family caregivers under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
First, the bill extends the period of medical care coverage for primary family caregivers to include the 180-day period following the removal of their designation as a caregiver under the program, unless such individuals (1) were dismissed from the program for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment; or (2) are entitled to Medicare.
Next, the VA must provide bereavement counseling and support to family caregivers following the death of a veteran receiving care under the program. The VA must also provide retirement planning services to primary family caregivers and study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a retirement plan or retirement savings for caregivers.
Further, unless they were discharged for fraud, abuse, or mistreatment, the VA must provide to primary family caregivers (1) assistance returning to the workforce upon discharge or dismissal from the program, (2) support in transitioning from caregiving, and (3) specified employment assistance during their tenure as a caregiver and for the following 180-days.
The VA must partner with the Department of Labor to study and report on the feasibility and advisability of conducting a program to assist primary caregivers in returning to the workforce.
Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the VA’s efforts supporting family caregivers in transitioning from caregiving.
Legislative subjects
Armed Forces and National Security; Congressional oversight; Department of Veterans Affairs; Employee benefits and pensions; Employee hiring; Employment and training programs; Family relationships; Government studies and investigations; Health personnel; Medicare; Veterans' medical care