RESOLUTION 2011-4
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, there are more than 140 State Veterans Homes in all 50 States, which as member institutions of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH), on a daily basis provide 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 approximately 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, the VA has traditionally set a per diem payment that is about 30 percent of the national average cost of care in the 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, tthat NASVH supports an increase in the VA per diem payment but is no more than 50 percent of the national average cost of providing care in a State Veterans Home, as authorized by law.



STEVEN J. MATUNE
President
National Association of State Veterans Homes
Dated this 1st Day of March, 2011