Health Care and Support

Status of Veterans Ombudsman Recommendations by Theme 2008-2018

Current as of July 31, 2018

Legend

 Implemented
 Partially Implemented
 Not Implemented

Health Care and Support
Recommendation	2017	2018
That the ceiling for Veterans funeral and burial expenses be raised to reflect industry standards and that an indexing formula be introduced to ensure that the rates keep up with the economic increases
That Veterans Affairs Canada extend the Funeral and Burial Program to all Veterans
That eligibility related to the Funeral and Burial Program be extended to include Veterans who suffer from multiple pensioned conditions where the total aggregate suffering and weakening of their body may contribute to the cause of death
That the estate exemption (surviving spouse) for the means test be increased and aligned with present-day income and cost levels
For the Minister of Veterans Affairs to put forward the necessary legislative and regulatory amendments to allow Veterans to be compensated retroactively [for treatment benefits] to date of application under the Pension Act and the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act
Developing a caregiver compensation program to compensate the spouse or family member who acts as the primary caregiver to a seriously disabled Veteran
Providing the same access to the Treasury Board Pensioner Dental Service Plan to Veterans and their families as that provided to them by Veterans Affairs Canada under the Public Service Health Care Plan
Follow-up contact with Veterans Independence Program recipients should be made on at least an annual basis and more frequently for those at higher risk (with in-home assessments when necessary) to ensure timely and accurate identification of changing needs as Veterans age
Eliminate the inconsistency in Veterans Independence Program eligibility for housekeeping and grounds maintenance for survivors and spouses so that they may all have access to the services they need, regardless of what the Veteran received or did not receive prior to their death or involuntary separation
Adjust the eligibility criteria of the Caregiver Recognition Benefit to provide easier access to compensation for caregivers when service-related conditions inhibit a Veteran’s ability to perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and childcare
Introduce additional financial support that can be used to subsidize assisted living options for Veterans whose needs do not require Long Term Care, but who cannot stay in their own homes
Merge the Veterans Independence Program and Long Term Care program into one “Continuum of Care” program such that access is determined once, and criteria are transparent, understandable, and based on the physical and mental health needs of the Veteran. [Also in Service Experience theme]
Reduce the complexity of 28 different eligibility groups, currently using service type, such that access to continuum of care support is based on the physical and mental health needs of Veterans
Develop and publicly communicate a strategy to ensure that the continuum of care needs of all Veterans are being met within the current context of the Canadian Health Care system
Provide mental health diagnosis and treatment benefits to family members in their own right