Legislation seeks access to benefits for spouses of veterans with ALS
Bipartisan team of House, Senate lawmakers is pushing for regulation change
A bipartisan team of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate is pushing for legislation to help ensure that spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have access to benefits.
The Justice for ALS Veterans Act was introduced in the House by Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican who represents Pennsylvania’s first district, and Chris Pappas, a Democrat from New Hampshire’s first district.
“Our veterans fought for us, and when they face ALS — a devastating, fast-moving disease — we must fight for them and their families,” Fitzpatrick said in a press release.
Under current regulations, spouses of veterans who become disabled are eligible to receive benefits after the veteran dies, but only if the veteran lived with the disability for at least eight years. While treatments can help slow the progression of ALS, the average life expectancy for someone with the disease is about two to five years, meaning spouses of veterans who die from ALS often don’t quality for benefits.
“Denying a surviving spouse benefits because their loved one didn’t live long enough to meet an arbitrary requirement is not just unfair, it is a betrayal of our commitment to those who served,” Fitzpatrick said. “The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will right this wrong and ensure that the families of our brave service members receive the support they have earned and deserve.”
An ‘important first step’
Denial of benefits to surviving spouses of veterans with ALS is particularly notable because people who’ve served in the military are about twice as likely as those in the general population to develop ALS.
“It’s not clear why veterans develop ALS at a such a high rate, but it is clear that we should close the loophole that has prevented surviving families from receiving the full benefits that they are entitled to,” said Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who’s spearheading the effort to get companion legislation through the Senate. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan group of senators who are partnering with healthcare and advocacy groups to support those affected and their families. Our first reintroduction, the Justice for ALS Veterans Act, is an important first step that will aid the families of veterans who have been devastated by ALS.”
Working with Murkowski is Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware.
“Veterans who have fiercely served our nation are twice as likely to receive an ALS diagnosis, and yet, despite our efforts to support them and their families, they do not receive the full benefits they have earned in death,” Coons said. “I’m working with Sen. Murkowski to right this wrong and take better care of military families impacted by ALS.”
The bill has been endorsed by several key advocacy groups including the ALS Association, I AM ALS, and Paralyzed Veterans of America.
“We express our gratitude to veterans and their families, as well as to the U.S. senators who are championing the passage of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act,” said Calaneet Balas, president and CEO of the ALS Association. “This legislation aims to guarantee that the families of veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve, without being penalized due to the rapid progression of ALS.”
Andrea Goodman, CEO of I AM ALS, called the Justice for ALS Veterans Act “critical to our effort to ensure survivors of veterans with ALS receive the benefits they deserve.”
Heather Ansley, chief policy officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America, said the legislation “will ensure these survivors receive the additional financial support that is afforded to other veterans’ survivors.”
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