The Holyoke Soldiers Home Reform bill has passed the State Senate unanimously.
The bill provides certain standards for the hiring of an administrator who is a licensed nursing home administrator as well as other reforms.
In addition, it calls for:
Elevates the Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services to a cabinet-level position to facilitate more timely attention to all personnel challenges and requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations concerning the operations and administration of veterans’ homes.
Creates a statewide Massachusetts Veterans’ Homes Advisory Council, tasked with recommending policies to the Secretary of Veterans Services, as well as Regional Councils, which would be tasked with representing the interests of the local community, residents, and family members at each veterans’ home.
Requires each home to have a full-time specialist in infection control and emergency preparedness and to adhere to medically-sound guidelines for trauma-informed care.
Requires state-operated veterans’ homes to accept Medicare and Medicaid payments to facilitate veterans’ access to health care.
HSH had come under fire early in the pandemic nearly 2 years ago when 77 veterans died as a result of the coronavirus.
The bill will now go to a House Senate Conference committee to iron out differences in the bill.
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