Davis Approves $1.7M For ‘Essential Services’ at Barstow Veterans Home
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday signed a bill (SB 45) that provides $1.7 million to the Department of Veteran Affairs to provide health services at the 240-bed Barstow veterans home, the AP/San Diego Union Tribune reports. Since being "decertified" last year, Barstow lost $2.98 million in federal Veterans Affairs funds and $2.3 million from Medicare and Medi-Cal (AP/San Diego Union Tribune, 5/4). Reviews by a blue ribbon panel from January to August of last year found cases of patients at the home dying from "apparent neglect," and the facility also has failed four certification surveys conducted by the federal government (California Healthline, 11/13/00). The home still lacks the certification to receive federal and Medi-Cal funding, but the $1.7 million will allow the home to provide "specific essential services." Veterans Affairs had originally sought $6.5 million in funding, but lawmakers opted to provide only enough to keep the facility open. The AP/Union-Tribune reports that the home's managers plan to apply for recertification in July (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/4).
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