After two damning reports about the state’s handling of Covid in veterans’ homes, Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic Senators announced their plan for structural reform in how veterans receive care today.
State Sens. Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge), Joseph Cryan (D-Union), Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield), and Joseph Lagana (D-Paramus) all joined Murphy in today’s announcement.
“After thoughtful discussion, today we are announcing a conceptual agreement to pursue structural reforms to the delivery of veteran services in New Jersey,” a joint statement declared. “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.”
After at least 200 residents and staff of the Menlo Park and Paramus veterans’ homes died of COVID-19, there has been increased scrutiny over the care of veterans in state-run facilities.
Yesterday, the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) released a report that found that mass absenteeism and poor communication were driving the failures. This report echoed a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that found veterans had had their constitutional rights violated in the nursing homes.
A key tenet of potential reform would be to create a new cabinet-level post specifically designed for veterans’ affairs. Currently, veterans fall under the care of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; under this proposed plan, that department would be split in two.
As a matter of fact, Murphy ran on this very issue in his first campaign for governor, when he specifically called for a Department of Veterans Affairs.
Still, Republicans have slammed the Murphy Administration’s handling of veterans’ homes, demanding broad reforms and accountability for the failures.
“Every nursing home and assisted living facility in this state was affected in some way by the Murphy Administration’s disastrous COVID policies,” said State Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R-Montville). “The residents in these facilities have families, and they deserve answers,” Pennacchio said. “Does anyone in Trenton truly care about our elderly? Because after nearly four years of inaction, it sure doesn’t seem like it. New Jerseyans deserve so much better.”
Today’s announcement from Democratic leaders underscores the gravity of the failures at those veterans’ homes and points to the need for reform.
“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,” the statement concluded. “Our collective aim is ensuring the best possible care for our veterans, and we remain dedicated to this objective.”
Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Cleopatra Tucker (D-Newark) released a statement saying she shared the commitment of the senators to move forward, but stopped short of endorsing the plan.
“I look forward to reviewing the Senate proposals and working towards putting a system in place to protect our veterans, their families, and veterans home workers,” she said.
Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Denville), a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army helicopter pilot who flew combat missions in Iraq, said he wants to hear more.
“I’m not opposed to the plan, but I’m not convinced either,” said Bergen. “We rush solutions all the time and declare ‘mission accomplished’ while frequently making things worse. Our veterans deserve a lot better than that after the atrocities at Paramus and Menlo.”
But Bergen expressed frustration with the slow start of propsed changes and the process.
“For years they dragged their feet and, immediately after back-to-back scathing investigations, they suddenly have a bill five weeks before an election. It’s not inspiring,” he said. “Lawmakers are spoon-fed bills that get a hearing a day or two after their introduced and signed into law a week later. There’s really no deliberative process.”
This story was updated on October 5 at 10:33 PM with comment from Bergen.