My father served bravely during World War II in the Pacific Theater. My uncles did too. My father survived the biggest naval battle of World War II history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf. My brother served three tours of duty in Vietnam.
I deeply appreciate the service and the sacrifice of all Maine veterans and their loved ones. Our state has always contributed more than our share to the military, to the armed services during periods of combat and other times. My Administration has been working hard to improve services for veterans across Maine. I am deeply concerned about the planned closures of the Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias.
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.
I was informed last month by the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans’ Homes that it had voted to close these veterans’ homes in Caribou and Machias because of a projected decrease in the number of veterans served there in the coming years and, like much of the state and nation, a shortage of qualified staff.
While I recognize the challenges these homes are confronting, as are many other nursing homes, the drastic move to close these veterans’ homes will displace more than 70 veterans and spouses, some widows, and will result in the loss of jobs for the people who care for them.
These closures would also significantly reduce the footprint of veterans’ homes across Maine, they would leave no facilities Downeast, none north of Bangor, and they would diminish the long-term care options for veterans in rural Maine. The impact of these closures on our veterans, their families, the employees, and the regions that they serve as a whole cannot be overstated.
That’s why I wrote immediately to the Board of Trustees as soon as I learned of that vote. I wrote to express my deep concerns and urge them to reconsider their decision and to inform them that I have instructed my Administration to help them consider any and all potential options other than closure.
This week, I met with the Maine Veterans’ Homes and I urged them again to postpone any closure for two years so that we can work together to chart another path forward – a path that will ensure that our veterans continue to receive the care they have earned and deserve in the communities they love near the families they are close to.
I appreciate the Maine Congressional Delegation’s support for our approach — they too were taken by surprise by this vote to close the homes — as well as Senate President Troy Jackson, who’s bill, in part, would authorize a financial boost to keep these particular Veterans’ Homes open. That bill had a public hearing before a Legislative committee this week with significant support and the bill continues to move through the legislative process.
Here’s the bottom-line: I want these homes to remain where they are and remain open. The veterans who live there, their families, their spouses, and the staff all deserve it. Our promise to veterans is that we will stand by them, just as they stood for us in their service to our state and our nation – these homes are a small step towards fulfilling that promise.
My Administration continues to work with the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans’ Homes, with Senator Jackson and others, to explore all options to allow veterans to remain where they are before resorting to any closure. I do not want their lives and safety and health to be disrupted by this drastic move. And, I have instructed my Department of Health and Human Services to identify and provide sufficient funding to tide them over so that we can work on a long-term plan. In exchange for which I’ve asked Maine Veterans’ Homes to reconvene and reconsider their decision to close these two homes.
We can never fully express our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their loved ones, but we can make sure that they receive continued, uninterrupted care in the communities they call home.
This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.