Vets home resident: 'we ask good care'

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - Anthony Spallone was at the Michigan Court of Appeals in Lansing Wednesday to listen to the arguments regarding a private company being allowed to staff the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

Spallone, a veteran who lives at the home, sued to stop the privatization, and in October 2011, a judge sided with him.

That decision was appealed, and now it's in the hands of the judges to uphold the ruling or reverse it.

Joe Froehlich, an attorney for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, said the legal battle is only jeopardizing the already cash-strapped vets home.

Without moving forward with privatizing the home, he said, the state will continue to lose thousands of dollars each day, resulting in more layoffs at the vets home and possibly reduced services for its residents.

Further, he argued the agency can't be sued because it has governmental immunity and all the services are offered on a voluntary basis.

Spallone's attorney argued his rights were infringed, and said the quality of care won't remain the same. Private nurses, the attorney said, are paid far less than state workers, have little direct supervision and have less training.

Froehlich refused to speak on-camera with 24 Hour News 8. But Spallone did.

"We didn't come here (the vets home) to live. We came here to die," he said. "So give us the respect with good care. That's all we ask for is good care."