Editor’s note: This op-ed is by state Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington County.
Imagine a situation where military personnel are punched in the face, given food unfit to eat, generally humiliated and abused. It’s wrong, but perhaps expected in a POW camp during a time of war.
Now imagine the same conditions endured not by active combat military, but by older veterans in the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington. Unbelievable but apparently true.
Because of a failure to adequately care for the 137 veterans in their care, the Vermont Veterans’ Home now faces decertification by the end of this month. One major immediate consequence is the loss of major funding. The veterans’ home will lose $10 million to $12 million a year in federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This is about half of its yearly $19 million operating budget. Along with the end of services for the veterans, many of the 250 veterans’ home workers will likely lose their jobs.
The loss of both certification and funding follow a string of violations of federal rules — not to mention violations of human justice and dignity – uncovered over several months.
It is an eerie reminder of what happened at the now-closed Vermont State Hospital.
As reported at VTDigger.org, federal and state reviews found the Vermont Veterans’ Home engaged in mistreatment and abuse, failed to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable environment, failed to support residents physical, mental and psychosocial well being, had unsanitary food conditions and a lack of dietary support, failed to follow or update care plans and had incomplete and faulty medication records. At least one resident was punched in the nose by a staffer. It may be no surprise that understaffing appears to be part of the problem.
We need to hold the leadership accountable and work with staff to ensure the best patient staffing levels and highest quality service. And we need to be ready to find the $10 million to $12 million needed to replace the federal funds.
Over time, some violations have been corrected, others apparently not. And we can expect more when an early September review is released.
The Shumlin administration will, I am sure, do what it can to remedy this deplorable situation. It will take a serious commitment and necessary funding.
Let’s remember who we are talking about. These folks are Vermonters. These people are also military veterans. They put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms and quality of life we cherish. I could not say it any better or any more clear than one constituent who recently told me, “These people have fought for our freedom. They deserve better; they deserve the BEST we can give them. They gave the best they could. They should get the same from us.”
After a conversation with a neighboring vet, I had recently asked the Legislative Council to research how Vermont ranks compared to other states when it comes to veterans benefits. Revelations about the veterans’ home add a new urgency to the question.
We should guarantee our veterans receive the best benefits and services possible.
Now, the Legislature should step up and play a role in reviewing and improving conditions at the veterans’ home. We need to hold the leadership accountable and work with staff to ensure the best patient staffing levels and highest quality service. And we need to be ready to find the $10 million to $12 million needed to replace the federal funds. And, make improvements that guarantee not just adequate, but excellent service to our veterans.
We should not focus on the blame. But, we cannot accept excuses or tolerate with a straight face those who will say we cannot afford to invest in our veterans or we can’t afford to take on this responsibility. Just imagine if these folks, our neighbors, our veterans had avoided the responsibility they took on when we needed them most. We have uncovered a terrible injustice. We simply must make it right.
