Governor Pawlenty takes actions to improve oversight of Veterans Homes
Commissioner’s Statement of the Minnesota Veterans Home
November 19, 2007
I am writing to you today to provide information on some positive efforts affecting the Minnesota Veterans Homes.
Last April, Governor Pawlenty created the Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission to provide recommendations on the best approach for the future operation, management, administration and governance of the Veterans Homes. The Commission was made up of highly qualified individuals with experience in long term care and veterans.
After eight months of remarkable effort, today the Commission has completed its work and provided their recommendations to the Governor.
Using his executive powers, the Governor has acted swiftly and in accordance with the Commission recommendations to restructure the governance of the Minnesota Veterans Home.
Governor's Press Releases:
In summary, the changes include the following:
- After a thirty-day transition period, the Governing Board of the Minnesota Veterans Homes will be dissolved and the Homes will become a part of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
- The Veterans Homes Executive Director position will now become the Deputy Commissioner for Veteran Health Care and continue to be the leader for our Veterans Homes. After a nationwide search, Mr. Gil Acevedo will be joining our team in this position. Mr. Acevedo brings a remarkable set of skills and experience in veterans long term care from his time serving California veterans.
- The chain of command for each home will essentially remain as is.
- A Veterans Health Care Advisory Council, made up of experts in the field of long term care and veterans issues will be appointed by the Governor. They will have much to offer as we develop a strategic plan for the future long term care of our veterans.
In the summer of 2005 a light was shined on the Minneapolis Veterans Home. While there have been ongoing problems that would be tough to solve, that light has also shown:
- That the veterans and their families who live there love their home.
- That the majority of the staff who proudly work there loves the home – and the people who live there.
- That the larger community – within this state and within this nation – loves this home.
EVERYONE wants this home not only to succeed, but to flourish.
Our Governor, Tim Pawlenty, cares deeply about the veterans in this state and has shown that in words and actions. He was particularly concerned about the issues in the historic Minneapolis Home, and by the larger issues regarding the future of veterans care throughout our state.
As an ex-officio member of the Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission, I can assure you that the Commission deeply understands the covenant between our state and its veterans. They have:
- addressed the short-term issues that surfaced at the Minneapolis home,
- charted a course for the future of the Veterans Homes within this state,
- recognized and wished to strengthen the relationships that exist among all the federal, state, and private agencies working with veterans in our Veterans Homes, and
- addressed the future needs of our newest veterans – the brave young men and women who have served, and are serving, in the Middle East.
The Commission TRULY has outlined a bold vision for the future of our Minnesota Veterans Homes and each of us has an opportunity to play an important part of that future.
Today I can say with great assurance that there is more than hope - there is widespread RESOLVE to solve our issues, not only now, but well into the future. And resolve is a much stronger force than hope.
The cause of Minnesota’s Veterans Homes is not new to me. In fact, of my first job in the State in 1980 was as evening security at the Minneapolis Home. Since 1973, when I began working as a County Veterans Service Officer, I have closely followed our Veterans Homes and understand the important role they play.
I am humbled AND excited to welcome the Veterans Homes into a larger, unified veterans continuum of services and care for our Minnesota veterans and their families.
To all of you who help lead our Veterans Homes and to the staffs at each facility, I say thank you for your dedication to our fine Minnesota Veterans Homes and for your service to the veterans and their families living in them.
You are a major part of our state’s covenant with its veterans and the future.
Governor Pawlenty's Press Release:
GOVERNOR PAWLENTY TAKES ACTIONS TO IMPROVE OVERSIGHT OF VETERANS HOMES -- November 19, 2007
~ State’s five veterans homes will be overseen by Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs ~
Saint Paul – In order to improve oversight of the state’s veterans homes and ensure that veterans are receiving the care they deserve, Governor Tim Pawlenty today signed a reorganization order eliminating the Veterans Homes Board and transferring its duties and responsibilities to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Through a separate executive order, the Governor also created a new Veterans Health Care Council to advise the Department on an overall strategic plan for the Veterans Homes and how to best serve the health care needs of veterans.
The Governor’s actions were based on the recommendations of the Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission which was created in February 2007 to address the governance, management and operations of the Veterans Homes Board following a series of infractions at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.
“Our veterans of today and tomorrow deserve the best long-term care possible,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Minnesota is very fortunate to have such remarkably talented leaders in veterans and long term care issues. I am grateful to the commission for their sincere commitment to this important cause. I believe their recommendations will provide better service and greater accountability to veterans and their families.”
Along with the core recommendation for improved governance, leadership and accountability, the Commission recommended a multi-year effort of operational improvements for the Veterans Homes including:
- Greater focus on mission and strategic direction, utilizing formal surveys and coordinated care through partnerships with state agencies, the Veterans Administration Medical Centers, Veterans Integrated Service Networks and other veterans information referral and supportive resources.
- Support for effective and reliable clinical operations, including an agency level medical director and clinical leadership teams at each veterans home, quality improvement planning, performance measures, information systems and ongoing training.
- Improving core organization systems and performance through stable leadership, communication systems, benchmarking and restructured staff and budgeting.
Beyond the current operational issues, the Commission also urged a redefinition of how the agency serves veterans in the future. This includes utilizing each Veterans Home as a regional hub to provide resources and a continuum of quality care for veterans and their families, such as the following:
- Alternatives to institutional care, which include providing care for veterans and their spouses who choose to live in their own homes.
- The best in chronic disease management.
- New housing and service options for current veterans and a new generation of younger veterans.
“What started out as a focus on a single veterans home, quickly evolved into an opportunity to address a broader array of needs for veterans throughout their lives and throughout Minnesota,” said Dale Thompson, Commission Chair and President and CEO of the Benedictine Health Systems. “The Commission’s recommendations provide a model for leadership, planning and hard work that can make Minnesota the best place to serve veterans.”
In accordance with the Commission’s recommendations, the newly created Veterans Health Care Council and its chair will be appointed by the Governor and consist of nine members, seven of which will have extensive expertise in health care delivery, long-term care, and veterans services, along with a licensed clinician (a licensed physician, physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner). At least five of the members must be members of congressionally chartered veterans organizations or their auxiliaries that have a state level organization and officers in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Veterans Homes system is comprised of five, long term care facilities located throughout the state, providing service to over 750 individuals. The annual budget is $70 million, with 24% of funding coming from the federal government and 26% from residents. Following a nationwide search, Gilbert Acevedo was hired in October to serve as executive director and will now become a Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Health Care under the Governor’s reorganization.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides emergency funding for food and shelter; higher education counseling and financial assistance; referral for counseling services; employment services; assistance with the filing and processing of federal claims and pension; and the support of non-profit, independent programs designed to serve veterans. They have an annual budget of $26.7 million and 56 employees.
Last week, Governor Pawlenty announced a $51 million package of initiatives designed to provide additional services to veterans and active duty members of the military.
Copies of the Commission report can be found on the Governor’s website at www.governor.state.mn.us or here. |
