VA nursing home care: opportunities exist to enhance oversight of state veterans homes : report to congressional addressees

VA nursing home care: opportunities exist to enhance oversight of state veterans homes : report to congressional addressees

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, November 2022
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Government Regulation
Legislation, Medical
Nursing Homes -- standards
Nursing Homes -- statistics & numerical data
Veterans Health Services -- organization & administration
Veterans Health Services -- standards
United States
United States. Department of Veterans Affairs
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. Many aging veterans rely on nursing home care to meet their daily needs. In fiscal year 2021, VA paid about $1.5 billion for veteran nursing home care provided in state veterans homes. GAO was asked to provide information on VA’s oversight of state veterans homes, and the joint explanatory statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, contained a provision for GAO to review the relationship between VA and these homes. This report (1) describes the oversight of state veterans homes to ensure compliance with quality standards; (2) examines available data about deficiencies cited during inspections; and (3) examines how VA could enhance its oversight of state veterans homes. GAO conducted a nationwide survey to collect information on the 153 state veterans homes providing nursing home care. GAO analyzed data from VA’s annual inspections for 2019 and 2021. (Data were not available for 2020 because inspections were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.) GAO also reviewed relevant statutes, regulations, and VA documents, and interviewed federal and state officials and organizations involved with veteran care. What GAO Recommends. GAO is making four recommendations to VA, including that it identify additional enforcement tools to ensure state veterans home compliance with quality standards, and seek legislative authority for them, as appropriate. VA agreed with the recommendations.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (iii, 55 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918574088106676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918574088106676