WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, called on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to answer questions about its oversight of State Veterans Homes following reports of inconsistent inspection practices and quality controls.
“Our veterans deserve the best possible care after giving so much for our country. Unfortunately, it appears that the standard of care and quality controls at many state veterans homes falls well short of those required by other government supported nursing homes. Americans deserve answers and our veterans deserve better,” Grassley said.
State veterans homes are federally-supported, state-owned, and managed facilities that provide nursing home, housing, and adult care services for veterans. Though these facilities have implemented some Government Accountability Office recommendations, recent media reports highlight additional oversight gaps that may have fueled the death toll among facility residents during the pandemic.
In a letter on Monday to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis R. McDonough, Grassley seeks details on the VA’s oversight of state veterans homes as well as any additional authority that may be necessary to improve the quality of care at those facilities.
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