WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), today questioned top officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about a number of challenges with homecare and nursing homes facing Maine’s veterans community. In a hearing of the SVAC committee, Senator King questioned Dr. Scotte Hartronft of the Office of Geriatrics & Extended Care and Jonathan Blum from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about how the VA is implementing innovative programs, including a pilot program in Maine, that allow older veterans to stay in their own homes longer with appropriate care — keeping veterans happier as they age while simultaneously saving taxpayers money.

“We really need to talk about beefing up home care. I used to travel the state when I was governor with our human services and we would be with seniors and ask how many want to go to a nursing home. No hands went up. People want to stay in their homes. Also, it's a lot cheaper, it's a lot more cost effective. Describe to me the VA’s home care emphasis, and I know there's a pilot program of which Maine is participating – the RECAP Program. Talk to me about home care as an alternative to nursing homes,” Senator King said.

Hartronft replied, “Specifically the RECAP Program is Redefining Elder Care in America Pilot and what we're doing is piloting using predictive analytics to actually determine from all Medicare and VA records as to who is the highest risk for nursing home placement in the next two years. We embed a care coordinator who works with the primary care provider to proactively reach out to the veteran and their caregiver to if they need home services.”

“Because every day you can keep a veteran in their home, they're happier and the system is saving money,” King responded.

Also in the hearing, Senator King challenged Blum who spoke about a push for standards to be enacted across the VA even if it results in the closing of facilities. King followed up the witness’s testimony by saying:

King said, “You’re not serving veterans if a home closes because they can't be meet the staffing standards because they can't find the people. Let's get real here. Don't tell me you're improving service to veterans when you just said we’re going to see nursing homes close. 

Blum responded, “We don't think they're going to close.”

“You just said that. You did,” King quickly replied.

Blum answered, “That was misspoken. What we want to see is a nursing home force that is more stable.”

“Nobody disagrees with that. The question is how do we get there,” King asked.

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator King works to oversee the VA and ensure the proper implementation of various programs, such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Senator King hopes to help improve the bureau’s capacity by investing in its workforce, facilities, and other modernization efforts.

Last year, Senator King conducted nine interviews with Maine veterans as part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, an effort by the Library to collect, preserve and distribute the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. You can find or watch all nine of Senator King’s interviews HERE. 

Senator King is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and has repeatedly pressed for action from top DoD officials on the issue of servicemember suicide. Additionally, he recently spearheaded the passage of legislation to better track and study servicemember suicides by job assignment. Senator King has also worked to properly honor and recognize the sacrifices of Purple Heart medal recipients, protect veterans from fraud, and expand veteran assisted living services.

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