Lt. Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday called for a new, independent investigation of the state's St. Louis Veterans Home, just one day after the Missouri Veterans Commission supported its operations.
"I am deeply concerned by the allegations of mistreatment and inadequate care towards veterans of our Armed Forces at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. Louis," Parson said in a news release.
"My office has conducted numerous interviews with family members, as well as current and former staff members of the facility, to document their experiences in the hope of enacting needed change."
Veterans Commission spokesman Daniel Bell said, "We will continue to investigate each and every allegation that comes to us. We look forward to working with the lieutenant governor's office in addressing any specific concerns they may have."
Commission Deputy Director Bryan Hunt told the commissioners at Monday's meeting the federal Veterans Administration recently conducted an unannounced inspection of the home, and it was found to be in full compliance with all 158 VA standards.
Bell said Tuesday, "The United States Department of Veterans Affairs conducted an independent investigation in September, and we are contacting them for any follow-up information they may have."
Parson's statement also said he was "troubled by allegations of higher than average use of anti-psychotic medication on an as needed basis."
Commission staff told Monday's commission meeting their records indicate the use of those medicines is below the national average.
And, Hunt explained, the St. Louis home has "an independent pharmacy that does an independent review" each month of the home's handling of residents' prescriptions - and it hasn't shown any major problems.
But families and friends of veterans living in the St. Louis home said, in a separate statement Monday, there had been "occurrences of prescription medication errors and fraudulent reporting of (the) usage."
Although Parson's statement didn't make any reference to it, his call for a new investigation came about 12 hours after around 100 people gathered at a Kirkwood middle school to hear family and friends of the St. Louis home's residents report a number of problems they have with its operations.
At least some among those family and friends want the commission to remove Hunt, Director Larry Kay, Homes Administrator Kim Packard and the St. Louis home's top two administrators.
Commissioners on Monday acknowledged those requests have been made but took no action on them in an open session.
Bell said the commissioners also took no action during Monday's closed session.
"As a veteran, I am personally offended by any allegation of mistreatment, and I am working with state agencies to ensure this is not happening at any veteran's facility in Missouri," Parson said in his statement.