Currently, caregivers of those who served on or after September 11, 2001 can receive a stipend. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin wants to allow veterans who served before then to have the same eligibility.
"I don't want to, in any way, denigrate the nursing homes and other care facilities, even our state nursing facilities of veteran's homes. But where they can, and when they want to, we want those veterans to have a chance to stay at home. It saves us money," Durbin said.
An injured veteran staying at home is much less costly than if they are in a nursing home.