• FEES GOING UP??
ARE OUR HOME FEES GOING UP?
Veterans’ Home Costs May Go Up
Increase in residents' fees part of governor's recent budget plan.
Friday, Jan. 02, 2009
By E.J. Schultz / Bee Capitol Bureau
SACRAMENTO -- The price to stay in a state-run veterans home could soon be going up, including at a planned home in Fresno.
The proposal is tucked into the plan released this week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to close the state's growing budget deficit, estimated at $41.6 billion over the next 18 months.
The veterans fee hikes would save the state $2.8 million a year by removing a cap that ensures that residents pay no more than a certain amount each month.
About 17% of the state's roughly 1,600 veterans home residents would be affected, said J.P. Tremblay, a deputy secretary at the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
Spouses of veterans also would pay more to stay in the homes, and a new, higher rate would be set for residents who require minimal care.
"The medical costs are getting very high, and the state can't keep picking up that difference," Tremblay said. "This is a very difficult budget year for everybody."
Veterans advocates still are reviewing the proposal, unveiled on New Year's Eve as part of the governor's massive budget plan, which also seeks to raise taxes and cut spending for many state programs.
"I'm sure there will be some people who will be unhappy who are residents of the homes, but I think it is something we're going to have to do given these financial times," said Pete Conaty, a lobbyist for several veterans groups.
At present, the state provides three categories of care at three homes:
Residents who require no special care pay 47.5% of their income, capped at $1,200 a month.
Residents who require intermediate levels of care -- like help taking medication or getting dressed -- pay 65%, capped at $2,300.
Residents who require full nursing care pay 70%, capped at $2,500.
Under the proposal, the caps would be removed, so wealthier residents would pay more.
Also, a new rate of 55% of income would be set for residents who require a level of care just below intermediate. And spouses, who now pay the same rate as veterans, would pay up to 90% of their incomes to stay in the homes, depending on the level of care.
The state gets federal help paying for veterans costs, but not for their spouses, Tremblay said.
The proposal would have to be approved by lawmakers and would not take effect until the beginning of the 2009-10 fiscal year on July 1.
Tremblay said the state has not raised the fees since 1994.
"You won't find many other fees in the state that have been set at the same rate for 15 years," he said.
To live in a state-run veterans home, a person must be a veteran who is disabled or at least 62 years old.
Homes provide rehabilitative and medical care and are designed so veterans can live there until they die.
The state runs homes in Yountville, Barstow and Chula Vista.
Five more homes are slated to open in the coming years, including a 300-bed home in Fresno targeted for the corner of Marks and California avenues.
The reporter can be reached at eschultz@fresnobee.com or
(916) 326-5541.
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