Kentuckiana Times

Congresswoman Erin Houchin of Indiana’s 9th District has introduced the Larry Barrett Veterans’ Memory Care Act, a bill aimed at improving access to memory and long-term care for veterans. The legislation is named in honor of Sergeant Larry Barrett, a constituent who struggled to access nearby memory care services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Houchin said that current gaps in coverage force many veterans, especially those in rural or underserved areas, to travel significant distances for specialized care. This situation often prevents veterans from receiving timely treatment close to home and places additional burdens on their families.

“I introduced this legislation in honor of Sergeant Larry Barrett, who after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was unable to access memory care services through the VA near his home, forcing his wife and children to travel more than two hours to see him and manage his care,” said Rep. Houchin. “We must ensure other veterans and their families do not face the same heartbreaking barriers when seeking the care they need and deserve.”

The proposed act would require the VA to provide extended care services—including memory care—based on the preferences of veterans and their caregivers. It also calls for expedited processing of Veterans Care Agreements (VCA), including automatic approval for credentialed providers outside the VA’s Community Care Network or those located more than an hour from a veteran’s residence. Additionally, it seeks to extend existing home- and community-based service programs to veterans with open VCA requests.

“Veterans who sacrificed for our nation should never be left without options for essential health and memory care services,” Rep. Houchin added. “This bill ensures their care decisions and that of their families are respected and the VA acts quickly to meet their needs.”

Houchin has represented Indiana's 9th District in Congress since 2023 after succeeding Trey Hollingsworth (https://www.congress.gov/member/erin-houchin/H001090). She previously served in the Indiana Senate from 2014 until 2022 (https://www.indianasenaterepublicans.com/houchin). Born in Salem, Indiana in 1976, Houchin continues to reside there (https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/149586/erin-houchin). She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington.