While I am normally very conservative on government spending, there is one area that I believe should always be funded – taking care of our soldiers and specifically our War Veterans.
A good friend and technology client of mine alerted me to the $2 million budget cuts slashed from the 5 War Veterans Homes this year, and another $1.08 million set to be slashed next year.
We need to contact our state congressmen and Governor Jindal and raise a voice of opposition to the cuts.
Our veterans have offered their lives to sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy. The least we can do is use our tax dollars to take of them. There is coverage by KSLA here and by NOLA here. Jim Wells has it covered on the My Bossier Blog also. We are posting this on Facebook too – so spread the message.
You can download and print a form letter by clicking here for PDF and here for a Word version.
Contact Information:
Governor Bobby Jindal
PO Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9004
225-342-0991 or 225-342-7015 or 866-366-1121
Decline in Medical Services and Patient Care
As a Result of State Budget Cuts at Louisiana’s Five War Veteran Homes
Budget reductions:
- There have been two significant removals of state funds from the state War Veteran Homes since the FY10 Appropriated Budget.
- The initial cut, effective in January 2010, removed $2 million dollars from the state five War Veteran Homes. The net savings was projected to be 51.5 million dollars to the state; however, the savings to the state have proven to be considerably less. Additionally, reduced facility spending results in reduced federal reimbursement; therefore, the cuts are even greater than on paper.
- The second cut, effective in March-April 201 0-, came as a result of Executive Order BJ 2009-11.
- The Louisiana Way Forward, FY 10-11 Budget Moves to a More Sustainable. Cost-Effective Government. p.8, includes the following statement:
“As it is done in most other states, partnering with private physicians at Louisiana’s Veterans homes will bring $51,089,749 in savings.”
Changes in Medical Services:
- Pharmacy:
- Prior to the budget cut:
- All five War Veterans Homes were staffed with a pharmacist and on-site pharmacy. Medications were provided at no cost to the state and with the lowest cost to the veteran. Under Option I, pharmacists dispensed medications in blister packaging which provided for optimum patient safety, ease of accountability, and expedient delivery of medications.
- After the budget reductions:
- Four of the pharmacies were closed, and their pharmacists’ positions were vacated. As a consequence, receipt of medication is delayed, costs are considerably higher for the veterans and nurses are now pulled away from patient care to count and monitor medications.
- Prior to the budget cut:
- Physician and nurse practitioner:
- Prior to the budget cut
- Four of the five homes had a full-time physician and nurse practitioner on staff. In most instances, patient treatments and follow-up occurred on-site with minimal disruption to the patient. Early diagnosis prevented patient complications.
- After the budget reductions:
- One of the five homes retains an on-staff Medical Director. In other homes, contract doctors see the patients less frequently. Patients are often transported to Emergency Rooms for treatment and follow-up care.
- Prior to the budget cut
Budget Appropriations Funding required to restore services:
- The five state War Veterans Homes would need to have the appropriation for the 51.5 million taken from them returned to be able to reinstate programs lost by budget reductions.
- The proposed 51,089,749 reduction in the FY 10-11 state general funds must not be removed.
- At Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home, an appropriation of approximately $325,000 would be needed to restore the pharmacy program. Additionally, the approximately $200,000 projected loss from state general funds must be prevented to maintain current status.