Bill · S. 701· Senate(119-S-701)
Helping Heroes Act
- Introduced
- 2/25/2025
- Last activity
- 2/25/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Patty Murray
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Helping Heroes Act requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Veteran Family Resource Program. This program aims to improve the resilience, health, and well-being of veterans and their families by addressing social determinants of health and providing access to services. To implement this, the Secretary must appoint family coordinators in each Veterans Integrated Service Network within five years. These coordinators will serve as point persons to help families navigate Department resources and community resources. Additionally, the bill mandates a survey of disabled veterans and their families to better understand their needs.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+7
The bill establishes a dedicated resource program to improve the health, well-being, and resource navigation for veterans.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+7
The bill creates a new program to enhance the resilience, health, and well-being of veterans and their families through dedicated coordinators.
Would children be better off under this?+6
The bill specifically defines supportive services to include the social, emotional, and mental health needs of children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Enhanced well-being for veterans and families: The program is designed to address social determinants of health challenges and provide a continuum of services to support wellness within family units (Section 2(a)).
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Improved navigation of resources: Family coordinators will act as point persons who understand available resources under the Secretary, helping veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors access and navigate public and private resources (Section 2(b)).
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Targeted support for children: The definition of supportive services includes addressing the social, emotional, mental health, and career-readiness needs of children (Section 2(f)).
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Better understanding of needs through data: The Secretary is required to conduct a survey of disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand their specific needs, specifically regarding support for their children (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed implementation of staffing: The requirement to appoint family coordinators and ensure adequate staffing is not required to be completed until five years after the Act is enacted (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+7Good For Children+6Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+6Improves Healthcare Access+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Childcare Affordability+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 9 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John BoozmanRepublican · Arkansas
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jon OssoffDemocrat · Georgia
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont