Estimated annual savings: $4B (mid‑case), $2B–$6B+ range

Veterans’ Dementia & Memory Care Access and Accountability Act — enforces 30‑day/40‑mile standards, protects funding, boosts rural rates, supports caregivers, and publishes receipts

Summary

  • Purpose: Guarantee timely, high‑quality dementia care for veterans with enforceable standards, dedicated funding, rural incentives, caregiver support, and public transparency.
  • Net fiscal impact (annual): Low: ~$2.0B | Mid: ~$4.0B | High: ~$6.0B+
  • Primary beneficiaries: Veterans with dementia, family caregivers, rural communities, and taxpayers.

Mechanism of savings

  • Reduced hospitalizations: Timely dementia‑capable care prevents ER visits and costly inpatient stays.
  • Travel cost avoidance: 40‑mile cap reduces VA travel reimbursements and caregiver burden.
  • Rural rate enhancements: 15% boost attracts providers, lowering long‑term reliance on crisis care.
  • Caregiver stipends & respite: Support reduces institutionalization costs by keeping veterans at home longer.
  • Transparency & enforcement: Public dashboards, clawbacks, and penalties deter waste and force compliance.

Assumptions

  • Population: ~500k veterans with dementia nationwide.
  • Baseline costs: Dementia‑related hospitalizations and long‑term care exceed $20B annually.
  • Impact rate: 10–25% reduction in avoidable hospitalizations and travel reimbursements.
  • Caregiver support savings: $5–10k per veteran annually in avoided institutional costs.
  • Admin costs: Offset by dashboard transparency and GAO audits.

Calculations

  • Low case: $3B savings – $1B program costs = ~$2B net.
  • Mid case: $5B savings – $1B costs = ~$4B net.
  • High case: $7B+ savings – $1B costs = ~$6B+ net.

Risks and mitigation

  • Provider shortages: Mitigated by rural rate boosts and capital upgrade grants.
  • VA compliance gaps: Enforced via clawbacks, referral suspensions, and public non‑compliance listings.
  • Data integrity: GAO audits and Section 508‑compliant dashboards ensure accuracy and accessibility.

Measurement and reporting

  • KPIs: Wait times, travel distances, facility capacity, staffing ratios, caregiver stipends, complaint resolution, expenditures.
  • Cadence: Monthly dashboard updates; GAO review at 5 years; 6‑year sunset unless reauthorized.

Bottom line

This Act moves veterans from waitlists and road trips to timely, local, dementia‑capable care. By enforcing standards, protecting funding, and publishing receipts, it saves billions while delivering dignity and accountability.