Murphy plans private rooms in New Jersey veterans’ homes

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Gov. Phil says all rooms at a New Jersey veterans home will be closed to prevent another infectious disease disaster after the COVID-19 pandemic claimed the lives of more than 200 residents. Approximately $21 million in state funds will be used to renovate it for single occupancy. Murphy’s budget proposal was released on Tuesday.

The move comes after a state panel recommended speeding up the transition away from double-occupancy housing in Paramus and Menlo Park, where the virus has spread like wildfire and led to the highest nursing home death tolls in the nation. It was held 5 months after.

The $21 million is included in the budget Mr. Murphy announced in Trenton on Tuesday. It still needs to go through several months of congressional hearings before it becomes law on July 1st. Approximately 65% of the project will be funded by the federal government.

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Murphy did not mention the project in his budget speech Tuesday.

Veterans groups and other advocates say private rooms could avert a high death toll if another highly contagious virus enters the home. Among the many problematic practices in the home are residents who have tested positive sharing rooms with residents who have tested negative, nearly two months into the pandemic. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice has revealed that the attack continued even though dozens of people had already died.

Lax infection controls, management’s insistence that the disease was not in the facility, and an anti-mask policy so draconian that management, with the help of Murphy’s office, devised penalties, have been linked to significant outbreaks of the virus. It’s one of many questionable decisions made at a critical time. According to several investigations and reports by NorthJersey.com, it has gone viral.

more:NorthJersey.com uncovers glaring failures as New Jersey veterans’ homes fall into a downward spiral due to coronavirus

more:Murphy announces federal monitor will oversee renovation of troubled New Jersey veterans housing

Among those who have requested single-occupancy rooms over the years is the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, which met with Murphy in 2022 to urge him to come up with funding for renovations.

Similarly, Gee Valley Hospital designed a new $800 million, completely private hospital in Paramus. The hospital will open in April.

Murphy allocated $400,000 last year to begin renovations at Menlo Park, which is expected to be completed in 2025, but there was no target date for Paramus.

New Jersey news:Murphy proposes new corporate tax to solve New Jersey Department of Transportation budget problems

New Jersey Housing:Governor Murphy wants to fund affordable housing in New Jersey’s backyards and basements.

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Murphy plans private rooms in New Jersey veterans’ homes

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