Legislators Seek Investigation Into Chelsea Soldiers' Home Deaths

CHELSEA, MA — Lawmakers are calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to order an independent investigation into a coronavirus outbreak at the Chelsea Soldiers' Home, which claimed the lives of 31 veterans.

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley wrote to Baker Friday after the findings of an investigation into 76 deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home were released earlier this week.

"Given that 31 veteran residents of the Home have died from COVID-19 and an independent investigation of the outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home (HSH) produced useful findings and recommendations, we believe a similar, independent and thorough inquiry at CSH would help save veterans' lives, prevent further infections, and ensure a healthier and safer care environment for both residents and staff," the legislators wrote.

"Veteran residents of the Chelsea Soldiers' Home - like all veterans in long-term care facilities - deserve a standard of care that honors and dignifies their service and sacrifices," the letter continued. "Like the families of veterans who died or became infected from COVID-19 at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, the families of Chelsea Soldiers' Home veterans who have suffered from this disease deserve meaningful, lasting accountability and reforms. An independent inquiry can help facilitate such results."

An investigation into the handling of the outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home found "substantial errors" in decisions made by its leadership.

The facility was hit especially hard at the beginning of the outbreak due to "utterly baffling" infection control procedures made by Superintendent Bennett Walsh, the report says. The Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services also failed to provide proper oversight of the facility – and Secretary Francisco Urena was asked to resign Tuesday. Baker on Wednesday said he would end Walsh's employment.