Steil Statement on Shocking Revelations on Quality of Care at the Veterans Home at Union Grove

Press Release

Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) released a statement following the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's reporting on the quality of care and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services violations at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove:

"The lack of care and abuse veterans have suffered at the Union Grove facility is abhorrent and unacceptable. I will continue my work at the Federal level to ensure our veterans receive the care they deserve. The investigative report published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel makes my stomach churn. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that this wasn't a five-alarm fire for the Evers administration that runs the facility.

"In 2020, I called for additional resources to be provided to Union Grove. These resources were rejected by the Evers Administration. For the Evers Administration to now cite staffing shortages as cause of these issues, after his Administration initially refused Federal staffing assistance, is beyond frustrating.

"Wisconsin VA Secretary Mary Kolar's response to a resident's statement saying they "have choices' is offensive. The very purpose of our Veterans Administration is to properly serve veterans. Our veterans and their families should be able to receive high-quality care at any facility in our state."

Background:

Congressman Bryan Steil represents Union Grove in Wisconsin's First Congressional District.

On September 4, 2020, Steil wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Secretary Robert Wilkie to investigate the coronavirus outbreak at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove.

On November 18, 2020, Steil received a response to the request from the U.S. DVA noting that federal officials offered consultations and staffing assistance to the state veterans home in May. That offer was declined until August, after the outbreak occurred.

On November 23, 2020, Steil wrote a letter to Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Mary Kolar regarding the increase in coronavirus outbreaks and requesting a response regarding the federal assistance declined by state officials.

On December 9, 2020, Steil received a response from the Wisconsin DVA stating steps the State of Wisconsin has taken to combat the coronavirus without mentioning staffing assistance requested.

On May 26, 2022, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an investigative report looking into the numerous Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) violations at the Veterans Home at Union Grove. Union Grove's violation record is among the worst in the nation, ranking 27th out of 343 facilities in Wisconsin. Out of 117 CMS-certified state veterans family homes, Union Grove ranked in the top five for having the most violations and fines.

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