13-R158
2013 -- S 0481
Enacted 03/20/13
S E N A T E R E
S O L U T I O N
RESPECTFULLY
REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE ENHANCED
LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES AND BENEFITS FOR RHODE ISLAND VETERANS
Introduced
By: Senators Pearson,
Date Introduced: February 28, 2013
WHEREAS, In its February 2012 annual report to the General Assembly,
the Division of
Veterans Affairs predicted an increased demand for
long-term nursing and dementia care
services, emphasizing that
WHEREAS, Half of all
veterans in this state are over 65 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The 2012 annual report concludes that the increase in older
veterans will
increase the need for veterans services; and
WHEREAS, In 2012, over 75 percent of
provide $94,000,000 for the construction of a new Veterans’
Home and renovations to existing
facilities; and
WHEREAS, Not all senior
veterans meet the eligibility for the State Veteran’s Home or
instead desire to remain in their home environment; and
WHEREAS,
need for long-term care services, particularly for nursing
home and dementia placement; and
WHEREAS, The Rhode
Island Senate has resolved and requested that the Congress of
the United States pass legislation to establish funding
for individual states, including Rhode
Island, to implement a home and community based
veterans program; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Department of Human
Services:
1.
Further explore joint State and United States Veterans Administration funding
opportunities to implement recommendations from the President’s
Joining Forces Initiative, to
strengthen behavioral healthcare systems and supportive in-home
long-term care services for our
Veterans
and their families.
2.
Provide additional training programs for frontline healthcare and case managers
on
veterans’ long-term and behavioral care benefits.
3.
Develop clear and concise information about veteran’s benefits for long-term
care
services and options; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode
Island Veterans' Home Bristol,
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LC01880
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