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Committee gives favorable report to bill allowing non‑veteran spouses and Gold Star family members to reside in veterans homes and authorizes rate adjustments
Summary
Senators reported House Bill 387 favorably after testimony that the bill would let the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs adjust private‑pay rates for non‑veteran residents (spouses and Gold Star family members) in veterans homes; the department said there are 36 such residents and fees have not been increased since 2008.
The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare voted to report House Bill 387 favorably. The bill would grant the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs statutory authority to change private‑pay care and maintenance rates for non‑veteran residents in state veterans homes, including spouses and Gold Star family members.
Representative Dickerson, the sponsor, told the committee the statute governing non‑veteran residency had not been updated since about 1965 and that 36 non‑veteran residents currently live in the five veterans homes across Louisiana. “There are currently 36 non veteran residents. We have 5 homes across Louisiana and no homes…are at capacity for housing veterans,” the sponsor said.
Connor Junkin, executive counsel for LDVA, explained that LDVA began admitting Gold Star family members and spouses in February 2008 but lacked explicit statutory authority to alter their private‑pay fees; those private‑pay rates have not been increased since 2008. Junkin said the bill would permit gradual, equitable rate adjustments for fiscal responsibility.
Senator Boudreau moved the bill be reported favorably; with no opposition the committee approved the motion and entered a supporting card into the record.
