U.S. Justice Department says New Jersey failed veterans in state-run homes during COVID-19
EDISON, N.J. -- A scathing new report says the care that was given to veterans in state-run nursing homes in New Jersey was so bad it violated the veterans' constitutional rights.
It says early in the pandemic, COVID-19 spread virtually unchecked throughout two veterans homes.
The Department of Justice released its 43-page report on Thursday.
The report indicates that even after the pandemic has ended, the inadequate care has continued. The DOJ is calling on the state to take action now.
"It reaffirms what we've said for three years, that there's significant patient care issues and transparency issues," said Jay Boxwell, of the VFW Department of New Jersey.
Those issues were especially tragic at the veterans homes at Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home in Edison and another home in Paramus during the pandemic.
The reports says the conditions persist today.
The DOJ's report shows residents face "unreasonable harm and risk due to inadequate infection control practices and inadequate medical care, in violation of the U.S. Constitution."
"We should never have to see a report like this, not just for veterans but for any health care facility. And it's a crying shame that it has to come to this," Boxwell said.
More than 200 residents of the homes died during the pandemic. The state paid $53 million to settle a lawsuit by families who believed gross negligence led to the deaths.
Relatives who lost loved ones in the homes have been waiting for this report for more than three years.
The nursing homes are led by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Congressman Josh Gottheimer called it one of the greatest tragedies New Jersey has ever witnessed.
"The fact that the Department of Justice has still found incredible irregularities, there's nothing except saying it's unacceptable," Gottheimer said.
The DOJ ordered the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to immediately address the issues.
Gov. Phil Murphy highlighted efforts to improve conditions at the nursing homes. He told CBS New York in a statement, "It is clear that we have significantly more work to do."
New Jersey Republicans accused the governor of failing the veterans and their families. Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio said in a statement that the Murphy administration's "egregious failures have continued to bring harm to these heroes."
Advocates for veterans say it's time to fix the problems.
"Like I've always said, every veteran counts, and it doesn't stop at our veterans in our nursing homes. They need to do the right thing," Boxwell said.