Friday, November 20, 2009

The Senate has unanimously passed legislation that would provide monthly stipends and medical benefits to family members who stay home to care for severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill also includes training for the caregivers, money to cover their travel, and nearly $1 billion for veterans medical facilities.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would cost $3.9 billion over the first five years, most of it to pay for the new caregiver benefits.

Supporters say some of the cost would be offset as more soldiers stay home instead of moving into expensive nursing facilities. They say the benefits are critical for family members who leave a job to provide care.