Updates to veterans’ home eligibility considered

Members of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony March 13 on a bill that would update eligibility for admission to Nebraska veterans’ homes.

Currently, among other qualifications, an individual must be at least 50 years old and “dependent on public charities” or in need of care available only at a state institution in order to be eligible to reside in a veterans’ home.

LB419, sponsored by Sen. Dan Lonowski of Hastings, would remove those requirements. It also would:
• changes the term “domiciliary and nursing home care and subsistence” to “long-term care”;
• allow veteran aid payments to be approved by a state service officer in addition to a local or county service officer; and
• provide an exception for the application for funeral expenses from a restriction that no claimant can originate a claim in more than one post at any given time.

Lonowski said the bill would modernize antiquated language in state law and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

“This bill is an important one in helping veterans of Nebraska access their benefits,” he said.

Department director John Hilgert testified in favor of the proposal. He said the bill includes important updates to clarify who is eligible for care in the state’s veterans’ homes, but might not result in more veterans being served in that capacity.

“The big [determining factor] isn’t beds and sheets, it’s employees … that’s what we need most of all, frankly,” Hilgert said. “We have capacity but we cannot admit someone that we cannot care for.”

No one testified in opposition to LB419 and the committee took no immediate action on the proposal.