Legislative committee proposes state veterans nursing home

THERMOPOLIS - The state's Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Interim Committee reviewed a draft bill on Monday that would provide the state a permanent veterans care facility, and an outline for appropriations to pay for the construction and placement of the facility.

The committee is wrapping up two days of meetings in Thermopolis today.

As noted by Draft Bill 18LS-0151, the purpose of the facility would be to provide a skilled nursing center for community living, care and treatment of individuals who due to age, wounds or disease, qualify as honorably discharged veterans of the United States, members of the National Guard disabled while on duty or the spouse of either.

The facility would also consider nonveterans from "gold star" families, or dependents of those military personnel who died while in service, or died as a result of their service.

Residents would be required to pay for services under current state health rules, consistent with current rates.

The state would create a special veterans skilled nursing revenue account, and would deposit all donations of funds or land, and all state, local and federal funds for the purpose establishing, planning and construction of the facility.

Specifics of the bill also allow for a free special fishing permit for residents of the facility, and a provision that the hosting city apply for a state land and investment grant to help with the construction of the final facility.

If approved, the bill would authorize the state construction department to borrow $5 million from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account for planning, design, permit and land procurement and ultimate construction.