In the News

Advocates, lawmakers and relatives of loved ones lost to the devastating coronavirus outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home are pushing the Baker administration for major reforms and are calling for further investigations after the release of a harrowing report on the facility’s failures to sufficiently respond to the crisis.

The report on the independent investigation by former federal prosecutor Mark W. Pearlstein cites “egregious” decisions by the facility’s leadership — notably the consolidation of two dementia units that combined sick and asymptomatic veterans — and “failures” by the Department of Veterans’ Services to adequately oversee the home’s superintendent and staff.

“It was refreshing to know the investigation verified what we already knew as family members,” said Laurie Mandeville Beaudette of Springfield, whose father died from COVID-19 at the Holyoke facility. “I really hope that they look at all the administrators and look at what role each played in this, because I find it hard to believe that any of them are going to come out of this without any blood on their hands.”

Gov. Charlie Baker said “immediate action has already been taken to remove unqualified staff from their positions” and that “we owe changes” to the veterans, their families and staff. Several officials, including Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena, have resigned. Baker also pledged to adopt the oversight and staffing reforms in the report.

Cory Bombredi of SEIU 888, which represents staff at the facility, said the resignations are “a good start,” but that they don’t offer full accountability for “bullying” by management or for the trauma experienced by employees who fell ill caring for dying veterans without proper personal protective equipment.

Advocates and families of veterans at the Holyoke home have been pushing for increased staffing supports and funding for the facility, including for a $116 million project for an additional wing that was approved in 2013 and supported 65% by federal dollars. The Baker administration has yet to commit funding to the project, however, despite approving money for a similarly priced project at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home.

“Now, more than ever, it is time to refurbish the facility and it must be treated with the same equity as its counterpart in Chelsea,” U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said in a statement Wednesday after the report was released. “I stand ready to volunteer any resources that the federal government can provide as the state moves forward to examine next steps.”

Attorney General Maura Healey said the Pearlstein report shows “serious failures by leadership” at the Holyoke facility and “lays bare systemic failures in oversight” in the Baker administration’s response.

“Our ongoing investigation will determine whether these missteps and errors warrant legal action,” she said.

The Massachusetts Disabled American Veterans chapter called Wednesday for reforms at both the soldiers’ homes and the state veterans’ services department. The group said in a statement it “hopes this tragedy is the catalyst for real change.”