California State Assembly District 12 recently issued the following announcement.
Assemblyman Heath Flora (R-Ripon) introduced AB 212g, which would establish the Medical Foster Home (MTH) pilot program. This progam would allow the U_ S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) to establish medical foster homes in California as an alternative to institutionalized care for veterans_
The bill is joint authored by Assembiyman Marc Berman 0D-Palo Alto) who represents a region that is home to the Palo Alto VA hospital where many vetefans who live outside the Bay Area travel to receive care_
Last :.feaf we intro-due .d this ame bill as AR 550 and it passed both chambers of the Legislature with no opposition said Flora_ "Unfortunately, the California state agency responsible for coordinating with the USDVA was able to work behind-the-scenes to convince the Governor's office to veto the bill with their commitment to develop an aiternative_"
The state of California is home to LS U.S. military veterans; more than any other state in the country_ Many of those receive high-quality care at the VA medical facility in Palo Alto, but veterans like the ones living in Assemblyman Flora's district must travel long distances to access this care_
INIFHs are a proven model of home-teased care: which provide assisted living care for eligible veterans: many of wh.oni are often elderly or medically frail_ The pre gram isn't a new idea or a high-risk ptan_ pro grams are currently running successfully and safely in 44 other states and territories as reported by CBS News_
The pro2ram utilizes an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, aides and staff provided by the Veteran Health Administration (ATHA). This program iworks alongside volunteer families and individuals who open their homes to care for these veterans_ Many of our nation's veterans have PTSD and do not handle institutionalized environments isle wards, hospitals or hospice well_ NITHs provide a place where our veterans feel like people, not a statistic or a patient number_
"Californians across this state are ready and honored to take c-are of these American heroes in their own homes," said Flora_ "Let's give them the opportunity."
Assemblyman Heith Rom represents the 12th As.sembly District, which. incliades the CCIrraPPLititfties of Den air, Empire, Escalon, ErtemEngton,. _Hickman, I-1 ughson, Key es) Lo.ihrop, Linden, Lockeford, Manteca, Modesto, OakdaEe, Ripon, Riverbank, Salida, Turlock, Victor, and Wetteoford.
Original source can be found here.
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