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Bipartisan Veterans’ Home Authority legislation still awaiting signature

military veterans
John M. Cropper
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flickr http://j.mp/1SPGCl0

Governor Rick Snyder is expected to make a decision soon on changes to Michigan’s veterans’ homes.  

Before the end of session, the Legislature sent him a package of bills that would create a new Veterans Authority. It could create more veterans homes in the state – currently there are only two. The authority would be run by a board and they would be required to give annual reports to the governor and Legislature. 

Bill sponsor Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell, said the legislation creates a modern authority with people who understand healthcare. 

“We had to hit the reset button and put together kind of a strategy on how to in the future, put together a system that can provide the best care possible for our veterans in Michigan,” he said.

                                                                                                                        

The legislation came after an audit of the Grand Rapids veterans’ home found a plethora of problems including staff shortages and mishandling of complaints.

Democrat Winnie Brinks is the State Representative for Grand Rapids. She said the authority is a step in the right direction for protecting veterans.

 

“I think it’s, it’s high time that we sort of modernize and update the system of care for the veterans in our state,” she said.

Governor Snyder has already signed legislation approving funding to construct two new facilities. One would replace the aging Grand Rapids home and the other would build a brand-new facility in Detroit.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County. Eventually, Cheyna took her investigative and interview skills and moved on to journalism. She got her masters at Michigan State University and was a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and freelance writer before finding her home with NPR. Very soon after joining MPRN, Cheyna started covering the 2016 presidential election, chasing after Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and all their surrogates as they duked it out for Michigan. Cheyna also focuses on the Legislature and criminal justice issues for MPRN. Cheyna is obsessively curious, a passionate storyteller, and an occasional backpacker. Follow her on Twitter at @Cheyna_R
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