When you strengthen the caregiver, you strengthen Alabama’s veterans: op-ed

This is a guest opinion column provided for 205focus.com.

From the shores of Mobile to the high-tech hub of Huntsville, Alabama stands on the shoulders of families who answered our nation's call to service. These families carry the heavy load when service members return home, and I am proud to count myself among them.

When my husband, Andy, was diagnosed with service-connected ALS, a friend told me I was becoming a voice for others. At the time, that felt like a task beyond my reach; I simply knew I loved him and would do anything to care for our family. Andy, a devoted father to our two daughters and the anchor of our home, served in the Air Force long before the current headlines. He passed away in January, 15 years after his diagnosis. While the disease took him, it could not erase the legacy he left behind or the duty I feel as a veteran caregiver and survivor.

The reality of the caregiving mission

According to a 2024 RAND study commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, I was one of an estimated 14.3 million Americans caring for a wounded, ill, or injured veteran before Andy’s passing. We manage complex medication regimens and navigate difficult bureaucracies, driven not by a paycheck but by devotion. We never planned to become caregivers, but like our loved ones, we answered the call.

Earlier this month, I joined the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in Washington to advocate for families like mine. We shared the realities of life behind the uniform, including the burnout I faced before we secured skilled nursing. For us, federal support is not just a courtesy; it is a vital lifeline. Alabama has a deep-rooted military community, and our federal leaders must ensure these caregivers and survivors have a seat at the table.

Legislative progress on Capitol Hill

While in Washington, I watched from the gallery as the House passed the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act. This bill marks a critical milestone, offering a long-overdue boost in Special Monthly Compensation for our most catastrophically ill and injured veterans, alongside increased Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for survivors. More than 500,000 families nationwide stand to benefit. Now, the legislation moves to the Senate, where Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville are positioned to drive it across the finish line to President Trump’s desk.

The work doesn't stop there. We also need the CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act to bridge the gap for children of permanently disabled veterans, who currently lose coverage at 23—unlike their civilian counterparts who remain covered until 26. Furthermore, the bipartisan Veteran Caregiver Re-education, Re-employment, and Retirement Act addresses the hidden costs of caregiving. Many caregivers in the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers sacrifice their own careers, losing out on retirement contributions and professional certifications. This legislation would provide essential transition assistance, reimburse relicensing fees, and extend health coverage, ensuring families don't have to sacrifice their future for their service.

A call to common ground

Supporting these bills is not about partisanship; it is about keeping our promise to those who served. Service members are wounded as Americans, not as political partisans. When we empower the caregiver, we fortify the veteran, and in doing so, we strengthen all of Alabama.

If you are providing support to a veteran fighting a service-connected illness, know that you are not alone. Through the Hidden Heroes campaign, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation offers resources and support networks for those who may not yet see themselves as caregivers.

I returned home from Washington with renewed hope. With strong leadership from our congressional delegation, these legislative goals can become reality, proving that Alabama knows how to take care of its own. Andy answered the call without hesitation, and so have caregivers across this country. This is a promise we intend to keep.

Lisa Musselman is a 2025 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellow living in Daphne. She cared for her late husband, Andy, an Air Force veteran, and continues to raise their two daughters.