Wisconsin Lawmakers Calling on Audit of Wisconsin Veterans Homes

Monday, April 10th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Wisconsin lawmakers from both political parties are calling for an audit of Wisconsin veterans homes after former staff and volunteers detailed accounts Thursday of inadequate care at state-run facilities.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, at the same time, the administrator overseeing the state’s three veterans homes told legislators she’s confident the facilities provide quality care as they’re facing staff shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican lawmakers with a state Senate committee overseeing veterans grilled leaders of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs in a hearing broadcast by WisconsinEye. Legislators primarily focused on conditions at Union Grove in Racine County.

Invited speakers referenced overworked staff and unsanitary conditions, which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported last year. An analysis by the paper showed Union Grove ranked among the top five facilities for the most violations and fines among 117 veterans homes certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The home has been cited for at least 76 violations since 2017 that include failure to investigate reports of abuse, prevent falls and medication mistakes. Partisan infighting on the committee broke out at times over which party or administration failed to address problems at the homes.

Ellen Jante volunteered for 10 years at Union Grove, and said her husband resided there for 8 years until he died in 2019. Reading from a letter she wrote to Gov. Tony Evers, Jante said one veteran reported waiting more than an hour for employees to help them use the bathroom, another said they hadn’t received a bath in two weeks.

She said falls became common and medication errors occurred as staff worked overtime, and the facility hired agency staff at a higher rate to care for residents.

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