Gov. Phil Murphy and a handful of Democratic state lawmakers announced plans to reform how New Jersey oversees its state-run nursing homes for veterans following growing criticism of the COVID-19 response at two of the three facilities.
The Democrats pledged to delegate supervision of the veterans homes — in Paramus, Menlo Park and Vineland — to a newly formed cabinet-level department and to create a veterans advocate post in state government to elevate the concerns of this group going forward. They also welcomed the likely arrival of a federal monitor to observe this work, a step indicated in a scathing report on the Paramus and Menlo Park homes issued by the U.S. Department of Justice last month.
“After thoughtful discussion, today we are announcing a conceptual agreement to pursue structural reforms to the delivery of veteran services in New Jersey,” read the statement released Wednesday by Murphy and Sens. Joe Cryan (D-Union), Joe Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Assembly Members Patrick Deignan (D-Middlesex) and Joe Lagana (D-Bergen.) Cryan and Vitale were among the early advocates for shifting oversight of the veterans homes to a new agency.
“While it will take time to identify and address all the considerations that such wholesale change demands, we are committed to our goal and will work diligently to deliver thoughtful legislation in a timely manner. Our collective aim is ensuring the best possible care for our veterans, and we remain dedicated to this objective,” they said in the statement.
No timeline for the changes — some of which require legislative action — was announced. State lawmakers are currently on break until after the Nov. 7 election.
‘Garden State heroes’
Brig. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, a doctor of osteopathy who leads the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, welcomed the potential reforms, which she said added to changes already underway at these facilities, including physical upgrades to create more single rooms. “The care, wellbeing, and dignity of those entrusted to our care remain our number one priority. Our Veterans Memorial Home health care providers and caregivers are hard-working and dedicated to the veterans they serve,” she said in a statement. “Murphy’s decision reflects our shared commitment to embark upon a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform services for our Garden State heroes.”
In its September report, the federal justice department said that the Paramus and Menlo Park homes provided inadequate care for residents for several years, with insufficient staffing and leadership and infection-control gaps that contributed to the death of hundreds of residents from COVID-19. These actions violated the rights of the veterans in the state’s care, according to the report, which recommended a federal monitor to ensure reforms are made.
Justice officials said the problems were particularly acute during the early stages of the pandemic but continued through 2022. They also faulted the COVID-19 record-keeping at the facilities and said the true impact of the virus may never be known.
State report equally scathing
And on Tuesday the State Committee of Investigation issued a scathing report of its own that found Menlo Park and Paramus were unprepared for the COVID-19 outbreak — which triggered sickness and death at nursing homes nationwide — and mismanaged the emergency response. The committee also faulted a communication breakdown with state officials and urged them to create a new structure to oversee these facilities, which are currently managed by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Murphy, a Democrat in his second and final four-year term as governor, and the lawmakers acknowledged the message in these reports. “As highlighted in both the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation reports, comprehensive reform — from ensuring we have adequately paid staff, to upgrading communication and physical infrastructure, to instilling a thorough understanding of best practices — is necessary,” their statement read.
The state has taken steps to improve care at the troubled homes, as well as at Vineland, which didn’t experience the same level of failures. The Department of Health dispatched an expert team to assist management at the facilities last fall and has since hired outside experts to manage the day-to-day care at Paramus and Menlo Park.
Federal monitor expected soon
Murphy and the lawmakers said they anticipate a federal monitor will be appointed soon to “oversee improvements” and noted that a similar arrangement helped reform the state Department of Children and Families years ago. “A federal monitor can work with the State to create a thorough plan of correction, set clear targets for improvement, and hold us accountable with continuous and transparent reporting,” their statement reads.
The lawmakers said they are also “actively working” on the legislation to “elevate” the veterans’ services now provided by DMAVA to a “veterans-centric cabinet level position, much like the federal model and that of several other states. This elevated departmental position will provide an ongoing, visible, institutionalized voice for veterans and their families at the highest level of government,” they wrote.
The group said they expect most of the active military matters will continue to be managed by DMAVA and noted improvements made at the department recently.
Murphy and the lawmakers also suggested additional oversight to help keep their work on track in the future. “Finally, to provide an independent check on our commitment that will outlive any federal monitor, we will establish a veterans advocate to investigate complaints and ensure we are providing effective, appropriate, and timely responses to our most vulnerable veterans,” the statement said.
