“The Barstow Veterans Home ranked in the top 10 percent among the 15,000 SNFs nationally and is one of the highest ranked facilities in California, with a 5 star rating. Closing the Barstow Veterans Home could cause additional undue stress on veterans and their families as the next closest veterans home is in Lancaster, nearly two hours away.”

These were the words this week from two County of San Bernardino County Supervisors to Assembly Budget Committee Member Phil Ting. The 4th District Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman and 3rd District Board of Supervisors Dawn Rowe urged the Honorable Mr. Ting to oppose the California State Budget Cut Proposal effectively closing the Barstow home within 2 years.

Read the letter below:

May 21, 2020
The Honorable Phil Ting
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Proposal to Close Barstow Veterans Home – OPPOSE
Dear Chairman Ting:
The County of San Bernardino opposes the Governor’s proposal to cut funding and close the Barstow Veterans Home due to the State’s budget deficit.
The Barstow Veterans Home was constructed with the intent of expanding services to veterans in Southern California. The facility was founded in 1996 as the second home for veterans in California and, at the time, the first built in more than 100 years. The 220-bed facility provides essential options for independent living for senior and disabled veterans, intermediate care, and skilled nursing care.
The services provided at the Barstow Veterans Home are vital within the community where 200 residents currently call the place home. The facility provides veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth. The Barstow Veterans Home has strong support from the local community as well as camaraderie from the neighboring Marine Corps Logistics Base and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin.
The Barstow Veterans Home ranked in the top 10 percent among the 15,000 SNFs nationally and is one of the highest ranked facilities in California, with a 5 star rating. Closing the Barstow Veterans Home could cause additional undue stress on veterans and their families as the next closest veteran’s home is in Lancaster, nearly two hours away. Additionally, closing the facility will only save the State $400,000 in this budget year, but the loss of per-diem paid to the State by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for these residents will cost $3 million per year.
For the above reasons, the County of San Bernardino opposes the Governor’s proposal to close the Barstow Veterans Home. If you have any questions regarding the County’s position, please do not hesitate to contact Josh Candelaria, Director of Governmental and Legislative Affairs at (909) 387-4821 or jcandelaria@sbcounty.gov.