This bill expands eligibility for temporary lodging at a Fisher House to additional individuals receiving medical care or treatment at a Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility or those accompanying individuals receiving such treatment. (Fisher Houses are where the VA furnishes no-cost lodging to veterans and other eligible individuals when receiving treatment or accompanying an individual receiving treatment.)
Specifically, the bill authorizes the VA to provide lodging at a Fisher House on a space-available basis to
members of the uniformed services performing active duty (i.e., covered beneficiaries) who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services; family members and others accompanying such covered beneficiaries to receive care or services; veterans, members of a veteran's family, and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of a veteran's family to receive care or services; and covered beneficiaries, members of a covered beneficiary’s family, and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of a beneficiary’s family to receive care or services. Finally, the bill extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through July 31, 2033.