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Veterans group files complaint with Veterans Affairs Inspector General against RI Governor Raimondo
“Sadly, the Governor’s unresponsive actions to protect our Veterans left Veterans forced to take this unprecedented complaint against the Governor”, said John A. Cianci, Department Commander, Italian American War Veterans of Rhode Island.
The Governor’s RIDOH policy on May 23, 2020, which allows employers the option for asymptomatic health care workers to work (Exhibit 1, RIDOH State Policy), although CDC’s guidance is different (Exhibit 2), could result in more Veterans dying at the Rhode Island Veterans Home and private nursing homes throughout the state. According to the VA, the VA provides and certifies an estimated dozen private nursing homes for reimbursement for caring for Veterans (Crystal Lake in Pascoag).
“ITAM-RI believes VA-OIG has oversight and responsibility to protect Veterans as the VA provides government and private nursing homes to care for Veterans. The congressional delegation from New York are requesting a federal investigation after more than 5700 confirmed or presumed COVID-19 deaths at long term care facilities in NY (Exhibit 3). Subsequently, the State has made some changes to directives, to include the state Health Commissioner not allowing asymptomatic employees who test positive for COVID-19 to return to work for at least 14 days (Exhibit 3).” said Cianci.
“The State of Rhode Island has the second-highest percentage of COVID-19 deaths, and this policy change on May 23, 2020 could be deadly to the most vulnerable. The Governor has other resources to mitigate staff shortages – FEMA nurses and CNAs. In our opinion, the Governor should have a pool of FEMA nurses and CNAs on call, and ready to respond to any staff shortage at not only the RI Veterans Home, but private nursing homes” said Cianci.
“I participated in the Tele-Town Hall call, and the acting Director communicated that a pool of FEMA nurses and CNAs were compiled, which includes current VA employees. This pool is currently being utilized at the Veterans home and private nursing homes. Simply put, the RIDOH policy that not only risks the most vulnerable at the long-term care facilities, it risks the general public; these asymptomatic health care workers will be required to leave isolation and travel to and from work, more than likely, exposing the public in stops they must make (fueling up vehicles, etc…).
“Bottom line, the Governor must rescind this policy, which appears to (make Rhode Island) the ONLY state allowing asymptomatic employees to be mandated to work” said Cianci.
Exhibit 1 Article on CDC Policy for asymptomatic
Exhibit 2 RIDOH Policy
Exhibit 3 Article on State of NY policy change
Exhibit 4 Copy of VA-OIG Complain
Italian American War Veterans of Rhode Island (ITAM-RI) * John Cianci
(ITAM-RI organization is a veteran organization and a member of Governor’s advisory committee on Veterans’ affair)
For more on this story: WPRI: https://www.wpri.com/health/coronavirus/new-plan-would-allow-asymptomatic-workers-to-return-to-understaffed-nursing-homes/
John Cianci was interview on WPRO’s Tara Granahan show and provided details – podcast will be up later today.
This is a developing story