H.R. 4505, a bill to assist the parents of armed forces veterans in obtaining nursing home care, is awaiting President Obama's consideration this week. The bill passed in the House and Senate by unanimous consent. The bill was introduced by Rep. William Thornberry (R-Texas), with 30 co-sponsors.

The bill would allow a state veterans home to provide services to non-veteran parents of any child who died while serving in the armed forces. The current regulations only allow treatment in a veterans home if all the parent's children died in service. The bill was supported by various veterans organizations. There are 137 state veterans homes in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

"Adding a little common sense to a law is a good thing, and in this case, gives those we ask to fight and die in our wars assurance that their families will be cared for by their country," Thornberry said in a statement. "Losing a child in war is a life altering event, and I am pleased that this law will ensure parents of the fallen will be cared for."

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