Tester, Murkowski lead bipartisan push to protect critical services, essential resources for veterans

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Monday, May 8th, 2023 12:44pm

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Washington, D.C. (KINY) – To ensure continuous support for the nation’s veterans, caregivers, and their families, Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are introducing bipartisan legislation to extend essential Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and authorities currently set to expire May 11th.

The Senators’ Critical Health Access Resource and Grant Extensions (CHARGE) Act of 2023 would protect measures currently being implemented by VA to curb veteran homelessness, support caregivers, and assist State Veterans Homes dealing with staffing shortages.\

“These resources have been a critical lifeline for so many Montana veterans, and we simply can’t let them fall to the wayside,” said Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Tester. “That’s why I’m joining Senator Murkowski to protect these services on behalf of veterans and their families relying on steady access to quality care and housing. This bill honors the promises made to our men and women who served, and I’ll keep pushing to get it across the finish line as quickly as possible.”

“I’m proud to be working on this effort to improve services to help homeless and aging veterans. I stand united with my colleagues in ensuring that those who served to protect us have the support they deserve and have earned. The lessons of the pandemic are not forgotten—we cannot forget about our veterans by allowing this authority expire,” said Senator Murkowski. “This bipartisan effort will make a positive impact for Alaskans and the great organizations who dedicate their time and effort to serving veterans.”

Among its many priorities, the CHARGE Act specifically:

• Increases the maximum reimbursement amount for VA grant recipient organizations providing temporary and transitional housing for homeless veterans. This is especially essential for organizations in rural areas with limited access to alternative funding sources;
• Allows VA to continue providing gap services and support to homeless veterans when other supportive programs are not available—including shelter, transportation, landlord incentives for permanent housing, and more;
• Extends authority to allow veterans and caregivers in the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to elect for virtual home visits through September 30, 2023 or until VA finalizes their new regulations for the program;
• Extends the State Veterans Homes’ occupancy rate requirement waiver until September 30, 2024 so that state homes are not financially penalized for staffing shortages; and
• Makes permanent an authority that allows VA to share personal protective equipment, vaccines, medical supplies, and other resources with State Veterans Homes.
• The Senators’ efforts received strong backing from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and stakeholders nationwide.

 

More from News of the North

• Rep. Peltola votes for Fiscal Responsibility Act to prevent default and streamline energy permitting

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) - Wednesday, Representative Peltola voted to pass the Fiscal Responsibility Act, a bipartisan bill to protect the economy from a default on the national debt.

• Governor Dunleavy announces University of Alaska Board of Regents Nomination

  Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Tuckerman Babcock's appointment to the University of Alaska Board of Regents. Babcock's first day is May 31.

• Judge sentences elementary teacher Lukis Nighswonger to 46 years for 11 Counts of Sexual Offenses involving minors

  Palmer, Alaska (KINY) - Palmer Superior Court Judge Jonathon Woodman sentenced Lukis Nighswonger Tuesday to 46 years in prison with an additional 40 years of suspended time for his plea of guilty to 11 counts of sexual offenses involving minors.

• Cancer Connection to hold annual walk for National Cancer Survivor Day

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Cancer Connection, a nonprofit organization in Juneau, is holding its annual walk for National Cancer Survivor Day on Jun. 4.

• Juneau Police Department honors retiring officers

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - On May 30, Officer Don Ward with 7 years of service, and Officer Jim Esbenshade with 14 years of service both retired from JPD.

• Family: Sisters among 4 missing boaters after vessel found partially submerged in Alaska

  Juneau, Alaska (AP) - Two vacationing couples — including sisters — and a fishing boat captain were on a charter boat found partially submerged off southeast Alaska over the weekend amid rough seas, family members said Wednesday.

• Sullivan & Carper introduce legislation to strengthen holistic approach to children’s healthcare

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) - Wednesday, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Tom Carper (D-Del.), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee—along with Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Michael Burgess (R-Texas)—introduced the Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Support (KIDS) Health Act of 2023.

• Alaska state school board considers rule that would limit transgender athletes

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - The proposed regulation would limit students to a multi-gender team or a team ‘based on a student’s sex assigned at birth’

• Airport Parking limited as long-term lot closes for summer construction

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Airport parking will be severely limited over the summer as construction takes place in all four parking lots.

• SkipperScience partnership launches Nushagak king salmon mapping project with Bristol Bay fishermen for 2023 season

  Dillingham, Alaska (KINY) - The SkipperScience Partnership, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association (BBRSDA), and the University of Washington are expanding on the SkipperScience citizen science program to help fishery managers and researchers better understand migration patterns of Nushagak River Chinook salmon across both time and space.

• Team Juneau wins the Juneau Huskies Alumni game, 11-0

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Friday night, saw Team Juneau go up against Team World for the Juneau Huskies Alumni Game.

• Murder charges against Caleb Irwin dismissed after his death

  Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - The Anchorage District Attorney’s Office dismissed charges of murder in the second degree and manslaughter against Caleb Irwin. Irwin passed away from medical complications while awaiting trial. Irwin was charged with stabbing 27-year-old Briar Dickson to death in downtown Anchorage on June 3, 2022.