[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6257595,"mediaKeyId","3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a","parentId",3153509,"title","Committee hears calls for more geriatric mental‑health services after testimony on suicide among older veterans","audioSeconds",3026,"startMs",1662000,"endMs",4688000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a&start=1662&end=4688","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a/thumbnail_1662000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6257595/Committee-hears-calls-for-more-geriatric-mentalhealth-services-after-testimony-on-suicide-among-older-veterans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257595-29ee943503b8922ba6ae904c96422afc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455022&Signature=fQJvnWk7oswh7XePPYf0475bfnI0YCWlJkIOwsatY1ZbDVhSzvfvXdB2WRRicaP3Lrjs-m1e~TVhhmfTC9Snbo3RWqdAIl-CTjdC0RieU5oPTfMxsiUjANmHxGyC9IwlR33PdwXC9l8lEzVp7zOhD6JzySox0KgOzRFcemFN6AcnriCwI-6J4jssaRboasJH-RYj-A2vN1mWDU~a9VDGfsi4oZI97MNTsBG4uyUlLlSai7l1O-hFaZuNFmS8jxik7y0V-BiGBhFFLhudgWjc~eKrjcWUyj632W7kpweOJtNbGVeea0jFzzmqFWwjiN51hk42yztcSL~xUB4Zmv-0pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs","date","2025-04-29T00:00:00Z","article","Chairwoman Miller Meeks opened the hearing by noting a recent case she said highlighted gaps in care: “Just 2 weeks ago, a 77 year old veteran tragically committed suicide at a VA medical campus,” she said, and added that older‑age suicide among veterans remains under‑researched.

Members and witnesses discussed how dementia, social isolation and bereavement can increase suicide risk for older veterans and how state veterans homes might support prevention. VA witnesses said they are coordinating with the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to plan educational interventions focused on geriatric psychiatry and suicide prevention in state homes. Dr. Hartreeff described ongoing work to connect state homes with local VA mental‑health resources and to clarify the distinction between primary‑level mental‑health care covered by per diem and specialty psychiatric care that requires additional coordination.

GAO and NASBA witnesses supported expanded geriatric psychiatry options. Ed Harries noted Public Law 117328 required a geriatric psychiatry pilot program for state veterans homes but said implementation has been limited to telehealth expansions in practice. Harries urged a larger pilot to bring geriatric psychiatry capabilities into state homes and said expanding adult day health care could reduce isolation that contributes to suicide risk.

Secretary Charlton McGinley (Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs) described state efforts to track quality data and said his system has used data to reduce pressure‑ulcer rates and to identify capacity gaps for veterans with behavioral health needs; he told the committee his state turns away veterans when homes lack appropriate behavioral health capabilities. McGinley said better integration with VA facilities helps identify and manage mental‑health crises.

The witnesses and members emphasized data collection and pilot programs. GAO and state officials said additional research and continued data monitoring are necessary to design evidence‑based interventions and to evaluate pilots that add geriatric psychiatry or adult day services.

Ending: The subcommittee requested further information on VA plans for geriatric psychiatry pilots and for evidence showing whether adult day health and other programs reduce isolation and suicide risk among older veterans.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Subcommittee on Health Oversight Hearing","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses and members told the subcommittee that older veterans face distinct suicide risks and gaps in specialty mental‑health care in state veterans homes; GAO, VA and state officials discussed pilot programs, geriatric psychiatry, and adult day services as preventive measures.","taxTitle","Veterans Affairs: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1825,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6257600,"Lawmakers, VA describe backlog of state veterans home construction grants; some projects may wait years",1431,2400000,3831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a&start=2400&end=3831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a/thumbnail_2400000.jpg","/articles/6257600/Lawmakers-VA-describe-backlog-of-state-veterans-home-construction-grants-some-projects-may-wait-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257600-ec053903132ae640aea1625b22988a7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455022&Signature=TnAAns~M4IkotxWD6GJ4iZUCbv-LWuOhf1NnI3kVCEabbPxKCa7PXMlVm6Im7-KGsDZm0voqJcfdrt3CH5INOZHsLFtewPv0xLXb0LlXqyX2HsQBWkCjvKCyj09roiLDPfHPlDACGOoIzJqdfFYapS4t4IvEHBGnzbnAVhfUTr9pJfwV0o5f~U1ykPYsk~mPoEO8KZ8a5K-bY7SsYhSv~hUoYO9tNhThz-LczpKMT4GBih4BtYQiS-hsmeHzyZ1yI~pRwwafKcz6tknX1nf9TfK0KNNKmhSptVAqsMjSYDxbtUKxon4PlpH8hKIfMemlgUKxtLV52JTe6VOR4R7HBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dave Taylor (R‑OH) told the subcommittee he represents a district with a state veterans home and asked VA witnesses about a backlog of construction projects that have state funding in place but are waiting for federal matching grants. “These projects ... are ready to go as soon as they receive their matching federal grant,” Taylor said, and he asked whether some sponsors may wait five to ten years at current funding levels.

VA witnesses confirmed a backlog and described the administration’s process for awarding State Home Construction Program grants. Dr. Hartreeff said the program ranks projects dynamically each year and that available appropriations and project priorities determine which applications receive reimbursement. VA said it reimburses states for up to 65% of allowable construction costs and that the number of awards depends on the appropriation in a given fiscal year.

Members and witnesses said the backlog creates challenging conditions for residents and for states seeking to modernize aging facilities. Ed Harries and other state representatives urged Congress to appropriate more construction funding; Harries recommended at least $650 million to address pending projects. Representative Taylor and others proposed legislative ideas to accelerate funding, including repurposing selected federal savings, but no measure was acted on during the hearing.

VA said several projects were scheduled to come online in the next 12–24 months and that during the COVID‑era appropriation spike the agency was able to go further down the list to fund additional renovations (for example, HVAC upgrades to reduce infection risk). Dr. Hartreeff said VA collaborates with states on project prioritization but does not dictate state siting or sizing decisions.

Ending: Lawmakers asked VA for clearer timelines and urged Congress to consider additional appropriations or programmatic changes to shorten wait times; VA reiterated that matching funds and annual appropriations constrain the pace at which projects are awarded.","Members pressed VA on a backlog of state veterans home construction projects; VA said project rankings and appropriations determine timing and that hundreds of projects compete for limited federal matching funds, while state officials urged more federal investment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6257605,"Industry, states back bill to reimburse high-cost medications for veterans in state homes; VA signaled technical concerns",2631,1796000,4427000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a&start=1796&end=4427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","/articles/6257605/Industry-states-back-bill-to-reimburse-high-cost-medications-for-veterans-in-state-homes-VA-signaled-technical-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257605-64734020559408bfad1bb24a978fa6ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455022&Signature=Y85~yaHXDD~8DjLE9ZlS4BLEp7s4yB8jU03CXiZNph5gTjWgnnQt5Xe43xR1I3bLQn9Fvx3STluKopPx~p4euqHzEkR4D~M7vabYqzMBYC7HM9fPwhGsgFaTpNM6c4Q5FmsYuVtsEYdkLMbYCv0MDq-71eLA2lgOpX73zCQ1X3H7O9-8m4GKXV9JKgCtIaXVkKkMWMCe5yQw7b5xu9-I8eYEELwrtoswPQaAjQXJ1v8lNUCIsUr2~uz6DGoAwkUPezyWGOLqTSW0tTZ9hX3mCjJtNsudJiparil13WMlbTw~GKn8aDamAWdeRp6d3TWWOieK2lVISEEOlTM8Dr3abw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Miller Meeks and other members told the subcommittee they introduced legislation to expand medication reimbursement for state veterans homes, arguing current rules shift the cost of high‑price drugs to facilities and can deter admissions.

“That's why I've introduced a bill to provide veterans with more access to essential medications,” the chair said, explaining the proposed measure would reimburse state veterans homes for medication costs that now are often paid outside the facility. The problem was described as most acute for high‑cost specialty drugs, including cancer therapies, which state homes may not be able to absorb under the current per diem structure.

Ed Harries, president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, told the committee his members strongly support the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act and were “surprised and disappointed that the VA testified in opposition to your bill.” Harries said technical objections from the VA could be resolved through clarifications and added that failing to reimburse state homes for certain specialty medications can force facilities to refuse admissions or shift resources away from direct care.

VA witnesses said they had raised technical concerns about the bill, and VA officials described existing mechanisms for specialty care and medical‑sharing agreements with local VA medical centers. Dr. Hartreeff said VA covers primary‑level care through per diem and works with state homes and local VAMCs to coordinate specialty care, but that specialty care often requires coordination beyond what per diem covers.

Committee members and witnesses also discussed the distributional effects of medication costs. Industry and state witnesses said the current mismatch—VA per diem covering routine care but not some high‑cost medications—creates financial pressure on state homes. “We're doing it for one party but we're not doing it for another,” Harries said, referring to differences in how VA covers medications for some settings but not others.

There was no vote on the draft legislation at the hearing. Several members urged bipartisan negotiation to address VA technical concerns while ensuring state homes can continue to admit veterans who need high‑cost therapies.

Ending: The committee recorded support from state homes and advocacy groups for the Providing Veterans Essential Medications Act and asked VA to provide technical clarifications and options for resolving the reimbursement gap.","State veterans‑home officials and their association urged Congress to approve legislation that would reimburse state homes for high‑cost medications for veterans; VA said it raised technical concerns but has taken steps to improve oversight.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6257610,"GAO: VA oversight of state veterans homes improved but lacks enforcement tools, GAO and VA witnesses say",336,2464000,2800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a&start=2464&end=2800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3153509-f8c19f728c4b5eaaf116bd5a375ea36a/thumbnail_2464000.jpg","/articles/6257610/GAO-VA-oversight-of-state-veterans-homes-improved-but-lacks-enforcement-tools-GAO-and-VA-witnesses-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6257610-8aee904cb2a1a8abf83336357b1c747d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770455022&Signature=g0TvcMB-F7fKmR2Yq7SIX5D~Rw6WoLgCgv4cDSiW8~ykJtl-CtQCUCug8O9bd4x7hecuF~mqsOw9S6Gwx7-YN1RVPC3Apha-JOBXYipxmh2S~kZJnhX4i1ic9Kk0w0qpuKmjT1RVXIPW7X8-2BsupWE-7-lAltjlEhr2~6txU73SvkAcrN2DpTd8LLow1pfqa6L8LAeh4xwayOfvbxv1GK6TlXvKvHLaLgu3KDLBXMTbSO854rzXH6TQeHiVzXuXZbqEEk7QLZhuwQ4~oQy3NLG6niN7YxcOejmbES8OTWy9Da8UDq8h6z~-uNERV3KexYHLBrXLYTgN13NHj60o~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairwoman Miller Meeks opened the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health hearing by emphasizing the committee’s oversight role for long-term care for aging veterans and the role of state veterans homes in that system. “Every veteran deserves independence and dignity with age,” she told members and witnesses.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) told the subcommittee that state veterans homes provide important long-term care for aging veterans but that VA enforcement tools are limited. GAO witness Ms. Silas summarized the agency’s November 2022 review, noting persistent deficiencies: “In our review, we cite an example of a state administrator that noted they were more concerned with CMS's inspections because of the civil penalties.” GAO reported 766 deficiencies across a sample of 53 state homes and said 40% of homes were cited for the same deficiency in both 2019 and 2021; 21% of corrective action plans were past their due date.

GAO recommended that VA identify additional enforcement actions scaled to the scope and severity of deficiencies and seek legislative authority to implement them. Ms. Silas said VA had proposed a legislative option in the past and that GAO still considers an expanded range of penalties—such as civil fines or partial withholding of per diem payments—an appropriate complement to current tools.

Department of Veterans Affairs witnesses described changes since the GAO review. Dr. Hartreeff, the executive director for the VHA Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care, said VA centralized its survey function and added an escalation plan that prescribes oversight frequency based on the number and severity of findings. He told the committee that centralization has improved follow-up on corrective action plans and that, since February, a larger percentage of plans are on time and showing compliance. “What we did was we also added what we call an escalation plan ... and that prescribes a frequency of oversight,” he said.

Dr. Hartreeff and other VA witnesses said the department has strengthened internal timelines and increased follow-up, and they argued those process changes have begun producing better outcomes. VA also told members it is considering, but has not yet adopted, seeking additional legislative authority for penalties.

State and industry witnesses told the committee centralization helps but may not be sufficient without external enforcement options. Ed Harries, president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASBA), told the subcommittee that state homes consistently score better on CMS star ratings than community nursing homes but said financial and regulatory incentives matter. Harries urged Congress to authorize reimbursement for costly medications and to consider a graduated enforcement toolbox for VA similar to CMS’s, arguing such authority would allow VA to “right size” penalties to the severity of deficiencies.

Members pressed for specifics about the consequences of limited enforcement authority. GAO said VA’s only formal enforcement lever has been withholding per diem, a severe measure GAO officials said VA rarely uses. VA officials told the committee they had not recalled using withholding in recent memory and that their internal escalation plan focuses first on remediation and assistance, not immediate financial sanctions.

Contextual figures discussed during the hearing: GAO and witnesses said there are about 153 state veterans homes nationally; VA data cited by witnesses showed roughly 15,000 veterans living in state homes at a cost of about $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2023. Witnesses said state homes provide roughly 43% of VA‑funded nursing home care on any given day, while receiving about 18% of VA’s payments for institutional long-term care. GAO and members noted that VA’s basic per diem covers less than 30% of actual cost on average and can cover as little as 20% in higher-cost states.

The hearing record included a VA description of available supports: VA conducts annual inspections, permits medical‑sharing agreements with local VA medical centers, and reimburses up to 65% of allowable construction costs under the State Home Construction Program. VA also reported $4.7 million in fiscal year 2025 awards for nursing retention across 17 states and 47 state homes.

The subcommittee did not take formal votes. GAO reiterated that a range of enforcement actions would better align penalties with deficiencies, while VA emphasized recent internal reforms and said it is reexamining whether additional authorities are necessary. The hearing closed with members and witnesses agreeing that oversight remains a priority and that Congress may need to weigh whether statutory authority should be expanded to give VA a graduated enforcement toolbox.

Ending: Committee members asked for additional follow-up and for VA to provide evidence of improved corrective action outcomes. GAO left one recommendation open in its November 2022 report, and VA said it is continuing to develop internal tools while evaluating whether legislative changes are needed.","GAO and VA witnesses told a House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee that VA has centralized inspections for state veterans homes and tightened follow-up, but GAO and state advocates said the department lacks a range of graduated enforcement authorities similar to CMS to compel long-term compliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears calls for more geriatric mental‑health services after testimony on suicide among older veterans

Lawmakers, VA describe backlog of state veterans home construction grants; some projects may wait years

Industry, states back bill to reimburse high-cost medications for veterans in state homes; VA signaled technical concerns

GAO: VA oversight of state veterans homes improved but lacks enforcement tools, GAO and VA witnesses say