RESOLUTION 2010-4
SUPPORT FOR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO PAY ITS FAIR SHARE OF COST TO PROVIDE CARE FOR VETERANS IN STATE VETERANS HOMES

WHEREAS, State Veterans Homes were founded for soldiers and sailors following the American Civil War, and have ably served veterans for nearly 150 years; and

WHEREAS, under Title 38, United States Code, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is authorized to make aid payments to States maintaining State Veterans Homes; and

WHEREAS, currently there are 140 State Veterans Homes as member institutions of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH), in all States and in Puerto Rico, on a daily basis providing hospital, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long-term care, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, domiciliary care, respite care, end of life care, and adult day health care, to 28,500 veterans and their dependents; and

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

WHEREAS, Title 38, United States Code, authorizes VA to pay a per diem payment up to 50 percent of the national average cost of care in State Veterans Homes; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the growing long-term health care needs of older veterans, the State Veterans Home program will increasingly serve a vital purpose and will continue to provide the lowest cost alternative for veterans needing long-term care in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that NASVH supports a VA per diem payment of not more that 50 percent of the national average cost of providing care in a State Veterans Home, as authorized by law.



COLLEEN RUNDELL, M.S., LNHA
President
National Association of State Veterans Homes
Dated this on 30 Day of April, 2010