RESOLUTION

Subject: Support for VA Paying Its Fair Share of the Cost of Caring for Veterans Residing in State Veterans Home Programs

WHEREAS, State Veterans Homes were founded for Civil War veterans in the late 1800’s and have served veterans for over 100 years; and

WHEREAS, under the provision of Title 38, United States Code, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is authorized to make aid payments to states maintaining State Veterans Homes subject to the provisions of 38 CFR 18.13, Part 3, Section 51.40 (1); and

WHEREAS, Currently there are 126 State Veterans Homes operating in a total of 47 states and territories, providing hospital, skilled nursing, skilled rehabilitation, long-term care, Alzheimer’s care, domiciliary care, respite care, end of life care, and Adult Day Health Care to veterans and their families in the United States; and

WHEREAS, VA promotes the care and treatment of veterans in State Veterans Homes as one means to attain the goal of developing and maintaining the highest possible quality of patient care for eligible veterans; and

WHEREAS, VA can increase its share of State Home per diem to 50 percent of the national average cost of providing care in a State Veterans Home; and

WHEREAS, Title 38, United States Code, authorizes the State Home Construction Grant Program which is funded by VA at 65 percent of total costs for construction of new State Veterans Homes and renovation of existing facilities; and

WHEREAS, VA has not kept pace with states’ grant applications for construction of new State Veterans Homes and renovation projects; and

WHEREAS, Title 38, United States Code, authorizes VA to make per diem payments for veterans residing in State Veterans Homes, and the State Veterans Home Program is recognized as the lowest cost alternative among all nursing care alternatives available to VA; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the growing long-term health care needs of older veterans, the State Veterans Home Program will continue to be a vital health care provider and the lowest cost alternative for veterans needing long-term nursing care.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the _________________________ fully supports the legislative objectives of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) to receive from VA a per diem payment that equals 50 percent of the national average cost of providing care in a State Veterans Home; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ________________________________ urges the Congress of the United States to fully fund State Veterans Home Construction Grant Priority One Projects for fiscal year 2008.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ________________________________ urges the President and Congress to pledge their full support to the State Veterans Home Program, as it is the most cost-effective nursing care alternative available to VA.