Gaps in federal oversight add to virus woes at vets homes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Big gaps in federal oversight of long-term care facilities for aging veterans may have contributed to rampant coronavirus infections and more than 200 deaths at state-run homes, according to a congressional watchdog agency.

The Government Accountability Office found the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs failed to require robust inspections at the 148 state-run veterans homes nationwide and to make sure all deficiencies were rectified, even as it regularly doled out federal dollars for the care.

That likely made a bad situation worse in places like the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts, one of 50 veterans homes nationwide where VA is the only federal agency monitoring it, according to GAO. A recent investigation conducted for the state of Massachusetts found the superintendent there was not qualified to run a long-term care facility, and that officials with a state agency were aware of his “shortcomings,” but failed to do enough about it.

By law, VA is barred from making federal payments until facilities meet standards of quality care.

“VA needs to continue to strengthen its oversight,” Sharon Silas, director of health care at GAO, told a House hearing Wednesday in written testimony. Her team is conducting a wider investigation of VA’s oversight into the facilities in light of surging coronavirus deaths.

“It is imperative that VA ensure the health and safety of these veterans,” she said.

At least 158 residents of the 278-bed Massachusetts facility, or 57%, have tested positive for COVID-19. At least 76 residents have died. Similar outbreaks have occurred in New Jersey, where more than 80 have died due to COVID-19, as well as Pennsylvania, more than 40, and elsewhere.

Lawmakers said they found it troubling that GAO urged VA...