Capitol News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) today announced the introduction of the bipartisan Justice for ALS Veterans Act, which would ensure that families of service members diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) receive critical assistance. The bill removes a key bureaucratic barrier that has so far prevented many families of ALS-diagnosed service members from receiving certain benefits. 

The bipartisan bill is co-led by Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

Studies have shown that veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an additional benefit to spouses and families of veterans who have died due to a service-related illness, but only in cases where the veteran was disabled for eight years prior to their death. The life expectancy of a patient with ALS is two to five years, meaning families of these patients rarely receive the benefit.
The Justice for ALS Veterans Act removes the eight year minimum in ALS cases and extends benefits to surviving spouses and families regardless of the length of diagnosis. 

“The spouse or family of a veteran with ALS should never be denied assistance, but that’s precisely what our current policy does,” said Slotkin. “This is a straight-forward reform to existing law that will have a tremendous impact on the loved ones of veterans who have been diagnosed with this awful disease. This bill targets ALS cases directly, finally removing a bureaucratic barrier so surviving families may receive the vital benefits and support they deserve.”

“ALS is a brutal disease that affects thousands of Americans each year, including those who have served our nation in uniform,” said Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues on the Justice for ALS Veterans Act to ensure that families of our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.”

“Our military veterans have a significantly higher risk of developing ALS and we need to support our military families affected by ALS,” said Calaneet Balas, President and CEO of the ALS Association. “We applaud Representatives Slotkin and Fitzpatrick for introducing this important legislation. The Justice for ALS Veterans Act will ensure veterans and their families receive the benefits they deserve and are no longer penalized from receiving increased compensation due to the fast progression of ALS.”

“Denying benefits to the surviving spouses of ALS veterans because they were unable to survive long enough to meet an arbitrary timeline is a disservice to the veteran community and their families. PVA thanks Representatives Slotkin and Fitzpatrick for the reintroduction of the Justice for ALS Veterans Act which would ensure that ALS survivors are able to receive the additional compensation afforded to other survivors,” said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director for Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

Having worked alongside the military for nearly her entire career prior to elected office, Slotkin has prioritized legislation supporting veterans during her time in Congress. 

She led the bipartisan Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which helps veterans exposed to burn pits access benefits, and was signed into law as part of the PACT Act in September 2022; the Solid Start Act, which requires the VA ramp up their outreach to veterans in their transition back to civilian life, and was signed into law in October 2022, and the PAWS For Veterans Therapy Act, which helps connect veterans to service dogs, and was signed into law in August 2021. 

Original source can be found  here.