Veterans' homes in Michigan could see an increase of about $1.7 million in next year's state budget.
Jeff Barnes is the director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs agency.
"The state is currently ill equipped to deal with some of the metal health challenges that some of our veterans face," Barnes said. "This is an investment that we feel is good for the members of the homes but it is also starts to helps us deal with some of the future care concerns that we have."
The extra funds could also help "increase the number of skilled nursing that we have to also address some of the issues we have with mental health and psychiatric care in the homes and then put some additional controls in place to make sure we are doing our do diligence with pharmaceutical controls" says Barnes.
The budget is expected to see a vote in the legislature in the coming weeks.
-Lindsay Hall, Michigan Radio Newsroom
