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S 3647

Disabled Veterans Dignity Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Jerry Moran

Creates a VA program to provide bowel/bladder care for covered veterans with spinal cord injuries, via qualified caregivers, with stipends and training.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 3647

Summary of Bill S.3647 (119th Congress) — Disabled Veterans Dignity Act of 2026

Purpose and Intent

  • Title: Disabled Veterans Dignity Act of 2026.
  • Primary objective: Require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a dedicated program addressing bowel and bladder care needs for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who rely on assistance to manage these functions in non-institutional settings.
  • Emphasizes improving quality of life, preventing complications (e.g., autonomic dysreflexia), and supporting veterans to live in their communities.
  • Includes provisions about caregiver status, care timelines, and coordination with existing VA programs.

Key Provisions

Section 2 — Findings and Sense of Congress

  • Finds that bowel and bladder care is a necessary medical service for eligible veterans.
  • Highlights risks of inadequate care, including potentially life-threatening complications.
  • Acknowledges the role of family and individually employed caregivers in enabling community living.
  • States that caregivers should not face self-employment taxes or be treated as vendors/contractors for VA-supported care.
  • Emphasizes that veterans should not be forced to complete bowel/bladder care within a rigid timeframe and should not face ongoing care determinations without medical provider input.

Section 3 — Bowel and Bladder Care Program at VA

  • Establishment: VA must create a program to address bowel and bladder care needs for "covered veterans."
  • Provision of Care:
    • Care is provided based on clinical need and can be delivered through a qualified family member, an individually employed caregiver, or a contracted home health agency.
    • Each veteran receives an individualized assessment to determine the required hours of care.
    • Before denying care, VA must obtain review and concurrence from a designated Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Center.
  • Coordination: The program must be coordinated with other VA programs and benefits to avoid duplication and ensure appropriate support.
  • Supportive Training and Qualifications:
    • VA must provide necessary supportive medical training to caregivers eligible to participate and be paid under the program.
    • Establish provider qualifications and conditions to ensure clinically appropriate care and program integrity.

Section 3 (continued) — Payment and Financials

  • Payment Model:
    • Monthly stipends for family members and individually employed caregivers.
    • Payment to contracted home health agencies for services under the program.
  • Payment Limits:
    • Stipend levels for family members/individually employed caregivers are set by the VA and tied to the amount/degree of assistance and to the fifth step of the General Schedule hourly rate for nursing assistants at the nearest VA medical facility.
    • Home health agencies may not be paid more than the VA’s standard payment rates under 38 C.F.R. § 17.4035 (or successor).
  • Documentation: Caregivers must submit required documentation in VA-specified format as a condition of payment.
  • Continued Participation:
    • If a veteran is medically determined to require care for at least three consecutive years, participation is deemed ongoing for life or until a medical provider determines the service is no longer needed.
  • Status of Caregivers: Caregivers are not to be considered vendors or contractors under the program.

Section 3 (additional) — Eligibility and Limitations

  • Limitation: Care may not be provided under the program to a veteran who can perform bowel/bladder functions without assistance.
  • Covered Veteran Definition:
    • Enrolled in VA’s annual patient enrollment system (38 U.S.C. 1705(a)).
    • Has a spinal cord injury or disorder.
    • Depends on others for bowel/bladder care while living in non-institutional settings.

Affected Parties

  • Covered Veterans: Those with spinal cord injuries/disorders who need assistance with bowel/bladder care and live outside institutional settings.
  • Family Members and Individually Employed Caregivers: Eligible to provide care and receive stipends/payments; must meet training and qualification standards; cannot be treated as vendors/contractors.
  • VA and VA Programs: Requires coordination with existing VA benefits and programs to avoid duplication.
  • Home Health Agencies: Eligible for contracted care payments under the program, subject to rate limits.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: S.3647 introduced January 15, 2026; referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
  • Committee Action: Hearings held (as of April 29, 2026 action history indicates committee activity).
  • Effective Dates: The bill text does not specify regulatory effective dates; implementation would likely follow once the VA develops regulations and administrative guidelines after enactment.

Notable Details

  • Co-sponsor: Senator Jerry Moran.
  • The bill emphasizes dignity and non-punitive, needs-based care, caregiver support without tax/vendor classifications, and highlights the importance of preventing complications from neurogenic bowel/bladder.

This summary captures the bill’s purpose, key provisions, who is affected, and the basic process and timelines for enactment and implementation. If you’d like, I can line-item the specific sections with potential implementation challenges or compare to current VA practices.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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