The Risk Maine Veterans Are Under
Maine veterans homes are facing financial issues, the homes for them are facing up to a $4 million loss this year. However, there is only way to stop this. If the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comes through with overdue reimbursement money their financial issues will be eased, Maine lawmakers say. Imagine the stress this is causing tons of people; veterans to know that a home they are living in is at risk.
Back in 2022, Congress passed legislation that cauterized the VA to cover the costs of the nursing home care provider by veterans. These homes primarily involve veterans struggling with dementia, in the early stages. Unfortunately, the VA delayed the proposal of the required rulemaking by more than two years.
The Other Unfortunate Effects
Maine’s delegation relays that this delay has forced MVH. In some cases, veterans and their families to have to pay out of their own pocket. This all costs approximately $130,000 per month and since 2019 over $3 million. The Delegation wrote:
There is no rule three years after the law was passed and six months since the proposed rule had been announced. Economic harm to our veterans and their families has contiuned.
As well as, Maine Veterans’ Homes continuing to serve worthy veterans while waiting for the true implementation of this law. We urge the quick finalization of this rule without further delay.
Failure of Money
Sadly, due to the increasing amount of veterans that are starting to require this type of care. The rising costs of inflation and wages on healthcare costs homes have lost thousands of dollars monthly. Veteran homes have lost roughly $130,000 each month due to denied VA domiciliary care per diem reimbursements
These homes are expected to lose $3.9 million by the end of this year if there is nothing done about the problem. Domiciliary care had been established directly after the Civil War by the VA themselves. Making it a type of associated living to help provide for the older veterans. Ones who are semi-mobile or independently mobile or are simply incapable of living alone.
More Statements to Come
The CEO of the Maines Veterans Home system had testified that her budget had fallen short of $14 million. “We are on a precipice of collapse and the reason for that is simple. Our reimbursement rates don’t cover the total cost of care Yes, we have workforce issues.” Fusco said.
We absolutley can’t afford to continue to steal from the future of our homes in order to pay for our present.
There has also been an Afghanistan Veteran Mike Pooler, who has agreed with what Fusco said. Adding his own statement as well:
There needs to be a way to have National Guardsmen and Reservists not on active duty or deployed be eligible for access to state veterans homes. Absent many more wars this is only way for the MVH system to remain viable.
Other Veteran Homes Struggling
Unfortunately, it is more than just one state that has veteran homes struggling with financial issues. A veteran from central Florida has come forward stating his struggles. Sadly, after he lost his rigors of military training he had started to struggle with some sever leg injuries, ones that have now left him disabled for life.
However, he has the power to be able to walk for a short distance, but not far. He has expressed that at home and overseas his medical care has not been great. Which is leaving him with debilitating pain. Along with expressing that he longed for discipline which is why he joined the military.
Kranci said he wakes up at 4 a.m. almost every day. Furthermore, he stated he goes to bed when darkness hits. Then, he described how a person’s life gets stuck in a rut “like that.”
My life is just I’m going to sit until that hurts and then I’m going to stand until that hurts, then maybe I’ll lay down, then I’ll sit down then I’ll stand, so I just have to rotate what I want to hurt right now.
More Feelings to be Expressed
Along with expressing that his benefits aren’t enough, to pay any costs like rent. Furthermore, stating that he is having a hard time finding an affordable lawyer, that can help him after he bought what he believes was a faulty used car.
“Predatory car lots, and then on top of that the veterans insurance isn’t taking care of the veteran,” Kranci said. “And it’s just a mess.” Saying that his car has been in the shop for about five months, and that has been leaving him with no reliable way to get from point A to B.
Furthermore, his medical issues are not stopping him from making music, he’s building a career he hopes will help him overcome his physical challenges. “I like a challenge, and this is something where it’s a challenge when you want it to be, it’s easy sometimes — you can be creative with it,” Kranci said.
Sadly, these Veteran home financial issues are affecting people day by day.
By Key Robertson
Sources
Spectrum News 13: Veteran facing physical, financial challenges while building career
WMTW 8: Maine Veterans’ Homes faces potential loss of millions
Maine Public: Long-term care for Maine veterans on verge of collapse
Featured Image Courtesy of arbyreed Flickr Page Creative Common License
Inset Image Courtesy of Pennsylvania National Guard Flickr Page Creative Common License
