The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Justice Department announced a new initiative on Wednesday to place vulnerable veterans, including some who are homeless or "at risk of homelessness," under a guardianship or conservatorship, possibly placing them into involuntary or institutional care.
In instances in which veterans are unable to make their own health care decisions and have no family or legal representation to help them, the agreement would allow VA attorneys the legal authority to initiate and participate in state guardianship proceedings.
If a state court determines that the veteran is unable to make health care-related decisions, the court would appoint a third-party guardian who is not employed by the VA.
“Our new partnership with the Justice Department reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every veteran receives timely, appropriate care, even in complex cases,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement.
Veterans Affairs press secretary Pete Kasperowicz said the primary focus of the program will not be homeless vets, but a group of some 700 vets who are currently in VA facilities and lack family or legal representation to help them transition to a new place, via The New York Times.
“These veterans are literally already stuck in institutions that may not be the most appropriate setting for them,” Kasperowicz said, adding that the determinations by the court would be made with "full due process" for the veterans.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department is "proud to partner" with VA and help veterans by "ensuring that they have the best legal resources available when it comes to making medical decisions and receiving timely care."
There are approximately 33,000 veterans who are considered homeless, according to the Office of Housing and Urban Development.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.