Our sorry state
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Sarah Mansur at Capitol News Illinois …
A joint report from two state agencies and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found Illinois’ four state-run veterans homes lack standardized infection prevention policies despite previous audits suggesting they be implemented.
The report from the Interagency Infection Prevention Project, or IIPP, calls for the facilities to create a new infection control position and increase staffing and training.
The goal of the IIPP is to “support an integrated and comprehensive response to COVID-19” at the state’s veterans homes, according to the joint report of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and USDVA. […]
The LaSalle home has reported 36 resident deaths due to COVID-19 since November. The homes at Quincy and Manteno have also experienced coronavirus outbreaks that have resulted in 24 and 19 resident deaths, respectively. The home in Anna did not report any resident deaths resulting from COVID-19 related illnesses, according to the report.
Go read the rest.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we need a real debate about whether the state should even be involved in directly providing this service.
- Son of Macupin - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 3:48 pm:
Didn’t Tammy run our Illinois VA once?
- FormerParatrooper - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 3:52 pm:
We have seen failures by the State and by the Federal Government in regards to veterans issues.
What other entity is left that can be trusted to take care of these veterans?
- Anon 4:04 - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 4:06 pm:
=Didn’t Tammy run our Illinois VA once?=
Yes, for 26 months 12 years ago. I can’t help but wonder if this is a hit job or not.
- Hoping for Rational Thought - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 4:24 pm:
I’ve always found it troubling that these homes are exempt from many of the safety regulations private nursing homes are under. Shouldn’t state-run homes be held to the same standards as private homes?
- Nick Name - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 4:31 pm:
Public Health has had emergency rules in place for infection control/COVID testing in veterans’ homes since November 19.
Page 18994: https://tinyurl.com/uu5bazs3
- Bruce( no not him) - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 4:54 pm:
—Shouldn’t state-run homes be held to the same standards as private homes?—
At the very least. In reality, they should be the higher level that the private homes strive to equal.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 5:09 pm:
Lets let the counties handle it.
Just like health departments.
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 5:14 pm:
Done right, the vets homes are an incredible service to veterans and their families. But we don’t invest enough in them. So they are substandard.
- Merica - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 5:47 pm:
if you change the leadership every 4 years, nothing weill ever be accomplished. it’s the problem with every state agency
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 5:51 pm:
WHEN were the Veteran’s Homes opened? My hazy memory of the late Thompson / early Edgar era associates Veteran’s Homes with non-Springfield / Chicago based gubernatorial patronage.
- cover - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 6:18 pm:
= WHEN were the Veteran’s Homes opened? My hazy memory of the late Thompson / early Edgar era associates Veteran’s Homes with non-Springfield / Chicago based gubernatorial patronage. =
3 of the 5 homes opened during the Thompson/Edgar era:
Quincy - 1886
Manteno - 1986
LaSalle - 1990
Anna - 1994
Chicago - coming soon, should open in 2021
However, there were expansions at Manteno and LaSalle post-Edgar.
- Excessively Rabid - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 7:17 pm:
AR- Quincy was 1885. Going out on a limb, I’d say states started these places in the wake of the Civil War, probably with impetus from influential organizations like the Grand Army of the Republic. Personally, I think this is a business the state should get out of, ASAP.
- Jibba - Tuesday, Mar 23, 21 @ 7:59 pm:
Quincy was founded in 1886.