WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a package of bills that included “Gerald’s Law,” which will close a loophole that denies certain terminally ill veterans their VA burial allowance if they didn’t die at a VA facility.

The bipartisan “Gerald’s Law” bill originally was introduced as H.R. 234 by U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, and Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas. It cleared the House on Wednesday as part of H.R. 1669, the VET-TEC Authorization Act.

The need for a solution to this problem was underscored for Bergman by Denise Formolo, the veterans service officer for Dickinson County, who shared the story of a constituent veteran named Gerald “Jerry” Elliott and his surviving family, who were subjected to this loophole.

The “Non-Service Connected Burial and Plot” benefit from the VA now only provides the up to almost $800 in burial and funeral expenses to the surviving family of a veteran if they are hospitalized at a Veterans Affairs facility at the time of death. Forcing a veteran to give up their benefit if they wish to pass away in the comfort of their own home and surrounded by loved ones is wrong, Bergman said.

The new legislation will expand eligibility for this VA benefit, permitting terminally ill veterans who were discharged from a VA hospital or nursing home to pass comfortably at home under hospice care without fear of losing the allowance for their families.

“It’s heartening to see the expansive support ‘Gerald’s Law’ received across party lines as it passed the House today, because this is not a partisan issue. When a veteran who has fought for our freedom is denied any benefit for themselves or their family, Congress must rally together as we did today to fix that. I’m proud to see this bill pass and for progress to be made in ensuring that no veteran will ever have to sacrifice the benefits they’ve earned through the blood, sweat, and tears they’ve poured out for our nation,” Bergman said.

JoAnne Elliott, wife of Gerald Elliott, noted, “Jerry considered it an honor to volunteer at the Oscar Johnson VA in Iron Mountain and, as a member, through the American Legion Post 363 in Kingsford for many years. The Elliott family appreciates his recognition on the bill, which will enhance benefits to our cherished veterans,” she said.