Washington, DC -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing that the Northeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Monroe is recognized as a state veterans home for purposes of receiving per diem payments from VA to provide nursing home care to eligible veterans.
In 1994, VA awarded a $7.2 million construction grant to Louisiana for the 156-bed state home, which accepted its first patients in November 1996. The state oversees operation of the home. The VA Medical Center in Shreveport is responsible for administering VA payments and conducting an inspection annually to assure that standards of care are met.
Since 1888, the federal government has shared in the cost of veterans' care in state veterans homes. VA-state partnerships have resulted in the construction or remodeling of numerous state facilities, as well as VA participation in per diem payments to states to offset the cost of veterans care.
Under the State Veterans Home Grant Program, states may receive up to 65 percent of the construction costs for facilities that will be used to furnish domiciliary or nursing home care to veterans. Once construction is complete and inspections are satisfactory, the facility then qualifies for per diem payments from VA.
Currently, there are 90 state veterans nursing homes in 42 states.
