House Passes Bill to Implement Best Care Practices for Veterans

BOSTON – Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (D-Framingham), joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing H.4441, An Act relative to the governance structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth's Veterans' Home by a vote of 156-1. This bill makes substantial changes to the Commonwealth's Veterans' Homes—formally known as Soldiers' Homes. These changes will act primarily to strengthen leadership and ensure oversight of the homes.

“I want to thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, and the rest of my colleagues for working hard to pass this bill” said Representative Lewis. “This bill will ensure that the loss Holyoke Veterans faced will never happen again.”

Overview

The legislation passed will establish a Veterans' Homes Council who will be tasked on taking on key responsibilities including management, control of all Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth, and regulation of the Board of Trustees. Second, The Department of Public Health (DPH) will be required to conduct inspections of the Veterans' Homes at least twice a year. Additionally, each Veterans' Home will be required to have a superintendent and an Ombudsperson. To further ensure quality care for veterans, the bill creates an Office of the Veteran Advocate to serve as a liaison to federal and state agencies.
The bill is now sent to the Senate for review.

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