By By Lavan Martin
Alabama is one of the leading states in providing for veterans. Evidence of this is the three state veteran homes built for veterans and managed by the State Department of Veteran Affairs, i.e., Alexander City, Huntsville, and closer to home, the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette.
Although the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs owns and governs veteran homes, a State Veterans Board composed of members from varying veteran organizations contract with a nursing home provider to manage veteran homes. Many of you may recall problems encountered with the health care provided by a previous contractor whose agenda was more political than providing the health care our veterans deserve. Many of you may also recall the problems encountered in securing a new contractor, that were ultimately resolved when Gov. Bob Riley intervened and accepted the recommendations of the State Veterans Board in selecting a new contractor.
Health Management Resources (HMR), a company that manages veteran homes, was selected and now manages William F. Green. One of the 23 homes managed by HMR, the Alabama Veteran Homes received the most awards for providing excellent health care to veterans throughout 2005. Eligibility for the awards was determined by a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The survey showed that Alabama Veteran Homes met every standard.
As a member of the oversight committee for William F. Green, I can assure all Atmore area veterans that the health care provided is not only excellent care but impressive. This is a vast improvement from the care provided two years ago that received not awards but complaints. During that time, a company called USA Healthcare was managing the home, and in 2004, after a series of complaints from patients, families, and the community on the quality of the home's care, management was turned over to HMR. Since that time, the staff at William F. Green has worked hard to meet the new standards established by HMR.
And so, Atmore area veterans, you now have a home that makes us all proud. For the remainder of this articles let me deal with eligibility, services and cost.
Admission applications can be obtained from Mike Hanks, Escambia County Veterans Service Officer, or by contacting William F. Green directly. Veterans must:
Services provided:
24-hour skilled nursing coverage, physician on call 24 hours, diverse activities available, physical, occupational, speech therapy on site, beauty and barber services on site, daily housekeeping, laundry services, cable television, telephone, pharmacy, laboratory, x-ray and podiatry services available.