By: Richard L. Smith
The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, has concluded an investigation into the treatment of residents in two New Jersey veterans' homes.
According to information released by The U.S. Department of Justice, the inquiry was centered on whether these facilities were subjecting residents to conditions that violated the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
The investigation found substantial cause to believe that residents at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes in Menlo Park and Paramus were exposed to unreasonable harm and risk.
This was attributed to inadequate infection control practices and deficient medical care, constituting violations of their constitutional rights.
Operated by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, these homes offer long-term nursing care to veterans and their families.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey emphasized, "The Paramus and Menlo Park veterans' homes fail to provide the care required by the U.S. Constitution and subject their residents to unacceptable conditions, including inadequate infection control and deficient medical care.
These conditions must swiftly be addressed to ensure that our veterans and their families at these facilities receive the care they so richly deserve. We will not stop working until they do."
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division added, "Based on our investigation, we have found that these facilities have provided inadequate protection from infections and deficient medical care, which have caused these veterans and their families great harm.
We look forward to working with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to improve the conditions in these homes they operate and ensure these veterans and their families receive the care they need and deserve."
A lack of effective management and oversight further exacerbates the problems of inadequate infection control and subpar medical care.
These shortcomings have left residents vulnerable to uncontrolled and deadly infections, resulting in more resident deaths than similar facilities in the region.
The investigation was conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), which grants the Justice Department the authority to address patterns or practices that deprive individuals confined to state or local government-run residential institutions of their constitutional rights.
As per CRIPA requirements, the Department of Justice provided the state with a written notice outlining its findings and the supporting evidence.
The department also communicated the necessary remedial actions needed to rectify the alleged violations.
