VA caregiver program needs total overhaul as problems mount, advocates say

FOR THE VETERAN OF THE VETERAN SHARE OF THE DAY

Steve Schwab, from left, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation; Caira Benson, a caregiver for an injured post-9/11 Army veteran; Jim Marszalek, national service director for Disabled American Veterans; and Andrea Sawyer, advocacy navigator for the Quality of Life Foundation testify at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing on the VA's caregiver support program. (Leo Shane III/Staff)

Veterans Affairs’ caregiver support programs need a significant overhaul to correct deep-seated flaws within current operations, veterans advocates told lawmakers Wednesday.

A day after department leaders promised to halt all program dismissals amid criticism of new eligibility rules, a coalition of caregiver groups testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee that they are optimistic that real changes are on the way, but emphasized it will require more than just new rules and regulations.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT Charlie Lee PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones Sgt (Join to see) 1SG Dan Capri CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD SrA John Monette SPC Nancy Greene SGT Mark Anderson LTC (Join to see) SGT James Murphy SGT Damaso V Santana