Murphy calls findings of DOJ veterans home investigation ‘deeply disturbing’

In response to a report released earlier today by the U.S. Justice Department excoriating New Jersey’s Covid policies in two of its state-run veterans homes, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a statement calling the report’s findings “deeply disturbing” and saying the state has more work to do to improve its services for veterans.

“The U.S. Department of Justice’s report on the veterans homes in Menlo Park and Paramus is a deeply disturbing reminder that the treatment received by our heroic veterans is unacceptable and, quite frankly, appalling,” Murphy said.

The report, the result of a nearly three-year-long investigation, declares that the state provides “unconstitutionally deficient care” at the two facilities and makes a number of recommendations for how the state can make the homes safer for residents. Murphy said in his response that the state has already made a number of important changes, but agreed that more needs to be done.

“In an effort to provide our veterans with the care they deserve, over the past three years, our administration has instituted numerous processes and procedures to improve conditions, including most recently securing private management and assistance for these two homes,” he said. “However, it is clear that we have significantly more work to do and we are open to exploring all options to deliver for our veterans the high level of care they deserve and are entitled to under the law.”

The Murphy administration’s early handling of Covid in the state’s assisted living facilities, including its three veterans homes, remains one of the most controversial parts of the governor’s time in office. State Republicans have laid much of the blame for the hundreds of deaths in the Menlo Park and Paramus facilities at Murphy’s feet, and many see today’s report as a vindication of their belief.

“It is despicable that veterans, who bravely swore an oath to protect our country, survived some of the greatest conflicts of our time, but not Phil Murphy’s nursing homes,” New Jersey Republican Party spokesperson Alex Wilkes said in a statement.

“These findings are not only devastating to the families who needlessly lost loved ones, but also once again raise the question of Democrat-led legislature’s refusal to rein in Governor Murphy’s emergency powers during the pandemic, as Republicans consistently urged leaders to do,” Wilkes continued. “All of the Democrats who did not have the courage to stop Murphy will face voters this November.”

Chris Del Borrello, a Republican State Senate candidate in one of the state’s most competitive legislative districts this year, echoed that sentiment.

“If one ever needed a reason why Governor Murphy needs a check and balance in the state legislature, this is it,” Del Borrello said.

Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson), meanwhile, wasn’t so willing to point fingers at his own party, but he did criticize the “incompetence, negligence, and outright recklessness” that he said was prevalent among leadership at the two facilities.

“That issues as critical as infection control, quality standards of care, and proper oversight have not been remedied by now and continue into 2023 is beyond disturbing,” he said. “I thank the federal and state investigators for their probity. Those responsible must be held accountable, and held accountable now.”