30 Ways in 30 Days: Veterans Homes

Editor's note: A previous version of the following news release reported that the Governor's proposed budget would reduce funding for veterans homes by $7.5 million in the 2009-10 Fiscal Year. A revised funding request, submitted by Budget Secretary Mary Soderberg on June 11, requests a higher funding level for veterans homes than the Governor's February budget proposal. The revised funding request would be a $2.9 million reduction from 2008-09 (as reported below).

Budget Cuts Could Displace Hundreds from Veterans Homes

A Senate-passed budget plan would cut funding by 18%, impacting the ability of the state's six veterans home from serving our veterans.
 
HARRISBURG (June 19, 2009) - About 1,600 veterans and their spouses receive services from Pennsylvania's veterans homes, but a potential budget cut could reduce services for some and close at least one home.
 
Pennsylvania is home to six extended care facilities for veterans and their spouses, which provide personal care, skilled nursing care, domiciliary care, and dementia care. But budget cuts being considered in Harrisburg could force drastic cutbacks to those services.
 
The governor's revised 2009-10 state budget proposal would cut funding for veterans homes by $2.9 million, while Senate Bill 850 called for a $15 million cut - nearly 18% of current year funding.
 
The cuts contained in the Senate plan would force the state to cut services at veterans homes, according to Adjutant General Jessica L. Wright. She said in a statement last month that a smaller home could be closed or two or more homes could cut back on services. The result could be a reduction in services to as many as 300 veterans.
 
The loss of state funds would not only directly reduce services, but also have an effect on federal funds. Cuts like those included in Senate Bill 850 would trigger the loss of $5.9 million dollars in federal funds, which are based on the number of eligible veterans being served, according to Wright.
 
"Closing or curtailing veterans homes would be a difficult, expensive and heart-wrenching process," Wright said.
 
To learn more about state veterans homes, including contact information for the six homes in Pennsylvania, click here.

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