Earlier this month, AMVETS National Commander Duane J. Miskulin and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary National President Patty Piening paid a visit to the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor, Maine, prior to the AMVETS Department of Maine convention.Miskulin and Piening were joined by their fellow AMVETS for a tour of the facility and a luncheon where Kelley Kash, chief executive officer of the Maine Veterans Home, provided an overview of the state veterans' home program and discussed challenges facing the Maine home today.
One issue facing state veterans' homes today is the "70 Percent" program, which offers veterans with a service connected disability rating of 70 percent or more nursing home care free of charge. However, VA is not adequately covering these associated costs, threatening the ability of state veterans' homes to function.
Earlier this year, AMVETS testified on this issue before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, calling for increased flexibility in payments from VA to state veterans' homes.
Following the luncheon, Miskulin, Piening and the AMVETS members were treated to a tour of the facility by home administrator Greg Urban. During the tour, Miskulin and Piening took the time to meet residents.
(Photo: Maine Veterans Home CEO Kelley Kash discusses the services available through the Maine Veterans Home with Cmdr. Miskulin and President Piening during the luncheon at the home. Photo and additional contributions courtesy of Jeff Roosevelt.)
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