WHEREAS, Minnesota is home to an estimated 460,000 veterans who have served our country through extraordinary sacrifice to protect our liberty and freedoms; and

WHEREAS, the state must ensure that veterans and their families have appropriate options for meeting veterans’ long term medical needs in settings that provide high quality care and services; and

WHEREAS, under current law, there are five veterans homes to provide for the long term care needs of veterans and their qualifying spouses and the veterans homes are governed by the Veterans Homes Board; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission was created in response to operational issues at the Minneapolis Veterans Home and was asked to provide recommendations regarding the governance, management, operations of the veterans homes; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission has issued a report of recommendations regarding the state’s veterans homes and the delivery of long term care to veterans; and

WHEREAS, consistent with the recommendations of the Governor’s Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission, Reorganization Order 194 transfers the duties and responsibilities of the current Veterans Homes Board to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Veterans Long Term Care Advisory Commission recommends that the an advisory board be created to continue to provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with advice and recommendations from professionals experienced in providing quality long term care and individuals familiar with the current and anticipated future needs of veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order the creation of the Veterans Health Care Advisory Council (“Council”).

1. The Council shall be comprised of nine public members appointed by the Governor and as follows:

a. Seven members with extensive expertise in health care delivery, long-term care, and/or veterans services;

b. One licensed clinician (a physician, physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner);

c. One additional member;

d. The Governor will designate one member to serve as chair.

2. The Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, or designee, will be an ex officio member of the Council and provide necessary and appropriate administrative and technical support to the Council.

3. Members will serve at the pleasure of the Governor and the Governor will fill any vacancies. Members will not receive per diem payments or compensation. Members may receive payment of authorized expenses pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 15.0593. Authorized expenses will be paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

4. Unless this order is rescinded by proper authority, the Council will continue until this executive order expires pursuant to Minnesota Statutes2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 3. To establish continuity, the Governor may choose to appoint members to staggered terms and may appoint members to a two, three or four year terms.

5. The Council is intended as an advisory group with a mission of providing the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs with information and professional expertise on any and all aspects of the delivery of quality long term care to veterans. The Council’s duties include, but are not limited to:

a. Developing a new vision and strategic plan for the veterans homes that complements the Department of Veterans Affair’s overall veterans service programs;

b. Providing recommendations and advice on matters such as clinical performance and system-wide quality improvement efforts, the culture and working environment of the veterans homes, and other operational and organizational functions of the veterans homes;

c. Studying and reviewing current issues and trends in the long term care industry and the veterans community;

d. Providing recommendations to the Commissioner on alternative options for the delivery of long term care to veterans so that veterans and their families can determine appropriate services under models similar to those available in the community;

e. Establishing, as appropriate, subcommittees or ad hoc task forces of Council members, stakeholders and other individuals with expertise or experience to address specific issues; and

6. The Council will begin meeting as soon as possible following the completion of the open appointments process.

7. To assure continued accountability and the active involvement of healthcare experts and stakeholders in the governance structure of the veterans homes, the Governor may appoint a panel of experts to review the continuing effectiveness of the Veterans Health Care Council. This review may occur at any time, but not more than five years from the date of the Council’s first meeting.

8. This Order rescinds order 07-20.

             Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 2, this Executive Order will be effective fifteen (15) after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State and will remain in effect until is rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 4.035, Subdivision 3.