Vets testify on planned privatization

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) - Veterans and workers testified at a court hearing in Lansing on Wednesday connected to the possible privatization of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.At the hearing, the witnesses will speak about services provided at the home.

An Ingham County Circuit Court judge blocked the privatization on Oct. 7 with an injunction. She said at the time that the plan would cause irreparable harm to to veterans residing at the home.

One witness testified on Wednesday. The hearing will continue at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

"The care sucks -- the ones who are coming in right now -- and can you imagine what's going to happen when they change everybody? It's going to be really, really bad," said Anthony Spallone, who brought the case before the courts on behalf of the veterans.

Spallone has lived at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans for more than two years.

In the first day of testimony, an expert said replacing so many nursing assistants will have both physical and mental consequences to the hundreds of people who live in the home.

"You may even consider the nurse aides their families. For some of them, that's as close to family -- or even closer than they are to their own families. They are there for them," said Dr. J.P. Blake Casher.

Attorneys for the veterans' home said they don't think the overall quality of care will suffer. They also claim the staff changes will save the veterans' home nearly $1 million dollars this year and more than $1.5 million each year after.

"I shouldn't be here with my blood pressure and everything, but I think this is more important than me. It's for everybody who's in this place," said Spallone. "I had great care since I've been here from these state workers and the become family to us."

"We don't ask for good care, we deserve good care. I didn't ask to go to Vietnam. I didn't ask to get Agent Orange. I'd rather be out there pouring concrete right now and making $2,000 a day, but I can't do that anymore," said Spallone.