S.701 - Helping Heroes Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Helping Heroes Act (S.701) aims to establish a Veteran Family Resource Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This program seeks to enhance the well-being of veterans and their families by addressing social determinants of health challenges. It focuses on providing access to services and resources needed to support wellness within veteran family units.
Expected Effects
The Act would lead to the creation of family coordinator positions within the VA's Veterans Integrated Service Networks. These coordinators would serve as point persons to connect veterans and their families with available resources, both within the VA and in the community. The Act also mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct surveys of disabled veterans and their families to better understand their needs.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to resources for veterans and their families.
- Enhanced coordination of care and support services.
- Increased understanding of the needs of disabled veterans and their families through surveys.
- Potential for improved health and well-being outcomes for veterans and their families.
- Strengthened partnerships between the VA and community organizations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased bureaucracy and administrative costs.
- Possible delays in implementation due to the five-year timeframe for appointing family coordinators.
- Risk of the program not effectively addressing the specific needs of all veteran families.
- Dependence on adequate funding and staffing to ensure the program's success.
- Potential for duplication of existing services if not properly coordinated.
Constitutional Alignment
The Helping Heroes Act appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the well-being of veterans and their families, fulfilling a governmental responsibility to those who have served the nation. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).