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Lawmakers press analysts and KDVA on costs, single-occupancy drivers and long-term demand
Summary
During Q&A, representatives questioned why veteran centers cost more than private skilled care and whether single-occupancy rooms are driven by reimbursement; staff said the federal policy and quality goals drive single-occupancy and flagged rising counts of veterans at risk for long-term care.
Representative Lockett asked why the reported $721 per-day cost at veterans centers appeared nearly double private skilled nursing monthly averages; staff attributed the difference to higher nurse-to-patient ratios, higher service levels and KDVA's policy to accept veterans with the greatest needs. Representative Lockett said the private skilled care average is "between 10 and $12,000 per month," and Stevens responded that differences in quality and patient mix explain part of the gap.
Representative Jackson asked whether single-occupancy shifts were driven by reimbursement rules and whether long-term demand will decline with smaller veteran cohorts. Staff said single-occupancy is primarily driven by federal decisions prioritizing single rooms and that while the total number of veterans is falling, the population at risk for long-term care (65+, disabled, in poverty) has risen nearly 25% since 2010, which may sustain demand for services.
