Zwicker Statement on Department of Justice Veterans’ Home Report

Trenton – Senator Andrew Zwicker, member of the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the Department of Justice’s report on the Paramus and Menlo Park Veterans’ Homes:

“The scathing report issued by the Department of Justice should serve as a wake-up call to all New Jerseyans on just how destitute the conditions are within our state run veterans’ homes. Not only have they failed to follow standard infectious disease protocols or provide basic care, they appear to have a blatant disregard to patients’ wellbeing. It is disturbing to hear accounts of DMAVA staff discouraging employees and witnesses from talking to DOJ investigators. While no one wants federal oversight to be necessary, everyone should be working towards the same goal of identifying and addressing any shortcomings. Our veterans and their families deserve only the highest quality care, and tragically they have not received that. They didn’t fail us in our state and nation’s times of need and we should not fail them in theirs. There are clearly systemic issues here and it saddens me that it has taken such catastrophic consequences for them to be brought light.”