Veterans Homes Open to Peacetime Vets
October 30, 2009
Representative John Bel Edwards (D—District 72) is credited as the primary
author of House Bill 165 (HB 165), proposing legislation that allows for
expanded eligibility to the state’s veterans seeking admittance into any of the
five state run veterans homes. The
bill, signed into law by LA Governor Bobby Jindal at the American Legion
Convention on June 12, opens the doors to peacetime veterans who, despite their
commitment to their state and the nation, have—because of state law—been denied the benefit of residence in the homes
designated for veterans.
Representative Edwards’s bill, coauthored
by 83 of his fellow legislators and unanimously approved by all members present
in the House at the time of the vote, brings LA in line with the 38 other
states that welcome peacetime veterans in their extended care facilities for
veterans. The proposed
legislation, now state law, fits with the federal Veterans Affairs guidelines.
Governor Jindal said of the measure,
“LA’s commitment to veterans and soldiers is as strong as ever. We continue to show our commitment to
our veterans and their families with legislation that ensures they have the
opportunities and care they deserve.
The legislation simply adds language to existing Louisiana law in order
to allow veterans who meet federal eligibility requirements to reside in the
state’s veterans homes.”
An additional benefit of HB 165 is the
significant increase in federal funds and decrease in state general funds where
operation costs at the veterans homes are concerned.
Of the substantial fiscal benefit
of Edwards’s legislation, Governor
Jindal said, “Allowing peacetime veterans access to our state run war veterans
homes means expanding care to thousands of deserving veterans—and saving the state money. Such is yet
another means of tightening the belt on state government spending, while
protecting important services for our people.”