House Passes Elderly Veteran Healthcare Bill (Mar 09, 2012) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma lawmakers have approved legislation designed to provide elderly veterans a wider range of health-care choices. The measure by Rep. John Bennett of Sallisaw adds medical foster homes to the definition of a "residential care home" and exempts them from certain state requirements. A medical foster home is an alternative to a nursing home where a veteran is matched with a caregiver in his community. Care is provided in the caregiver's home 24 hours a day and the home is inspected by the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs. Bennett is a former Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says veterans deserve to be taken care of in their golden years in a way that preserves their dignity. The measure passed 88-0 Thursday and now goes to the Senate. « back |