I am Brad
Klawitter, the new CEO of Maine Veterans’ Homes. I have been with MVH
for three months and haven’t had the opportunity to meet most of you,
yet.
A
little background on me. I am 15.5 year, disabled AF Veteran serving in
support of Operations Homeland Defense, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and
Air Defense of the Arabian Gulf. I also have 15+ years of senior
healthcare experience, running a nursing home for the VA, as the EO to
the CEO of the Indianapolis VA Health System, as CEO of two for-profit
hospitals. I couldn’t be more excited to be back working with and for
veterans.
I
have an ask regarding an upcoming public hearing on funding for MVH
(LD182) on April 1, at 1300, at the Statehouse. We are preparing an
advocacy playbook that will include talking points, form letters, and
how to contact your state representatives and senators. I hope to have
this out to everyone tomorrow.
If
you would be willing to share widely with your networks and
organizations I would be grateful. We are looking for veterans and
allies to either call their reps, write letters, or ideally come to the
statehouse on April 1 to give a public statement on the necessity to
fund MVH.
Post-pandemic,
MVH has struggled financially as all nursing homes and hospitals are.
Just recently, Northern Lights Inland announced closing the hospital and
MaineGeneral has announced 100 layoffs starting in April.
MVH
continues to have a ~$10M shortfall due to inadequate reimbursements
from MaineCare. If we are not able to secure annual funding to match the
cost of care, MVH will be forced to consider closures or become
insolvent in the next two years.
My
cell is listed in my signature line below, please feel free to reach
out with any questions, comments, or concerns. I look forward to meeting
and collaborating with you and your organizations to ensure we continue
our solemn missions of caring for those who served. I will ask my assistant Trudy to find time for me to meet each of you.
NEED as many members to show up at STATE HOUSE on APRIL 1st, at 1pm. Wear blue and greys, and covers.
