GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- People are losing their jobs after substandard care at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
On Friday, Governor Snyder announced he is taking action, shaking up the leadership at the top. The state director of Veterans Affairs has resigned and new leadership is promising improved care and protection for our vets.
The 13 Watchdog Team has been leading the reporting on the problems at the veterans home.
Related: Snyder replaces agency chief after problems at veterans home; Watchdog Team obtains scathing audit that shows numerous problems at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans
Friday's resignation followed the audit we were first to break on Thursday. It supported our investigation showing substandard care, falsified documents, and problems with patient prescriptions.
On Friday, several of Michigan's top veterans officials held a news conference to address concerns stemming from the audit. They called the results of the audit embarrassing and disappointing, and they promised to do whatever they can to fix what's wrong.
"I want to apologize for the results of that audit, to our veterans, to the people living here in this home," said Major General Gregory Vadnais, director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
"We will correct the problems; it will take time," said Leslie Shanlian, CEO of Michigan Veteran Health System.
The news conference came In response to the auditor general findings which included that workers at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans falsely claimed they were checking on patients and failed to investigate claims of abuse or neglect.
At the news conference, administrators promised to improve the response to complaints which previously took three weeks.
"We shortened that to three days, 72 hours," said Shanlian. "If there is an allegation of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation, it will be resolved in 24 hours."
We asked about yet another concern we first reported last fall in a 13 Watchdog Investigation. It involves low staffing levels by state contractor J2S. Administrators tell WZZM 13 there will be new incentives for the contractor to improve services.
"We're also introducing a pay-for-performance provision that, if the contractor can meet 100 percent of its obligations, every 30 days to be reviewed, then we would add a dollar to the employees' pay rate," said Jim Dunn, deputy director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
In light of the state audit, we asked Dunn why the state does not go back to the public workforce instead of the private contractor.
"The amount of money we originally saved was substantial, and there's no indication that funding is now available," said Dunn.
"You can save money, but at what cost?" asked state Representative Winnie Brinks. "We should not be trying to care for our veterans on the cheap; we need to make sure they get the care they deserve and they need."
For the first time, we heard from the newly-appointed head of Michigan's veterans agency, former Kent County judge and Navy veteran James Redford.
"Every moment of every day, I have the privilege of serving you and making sure that the veterans of Michigan are taken care of in the best possible way, in every possible aspect, to the best of my abilities," said Redford.
Administrators say they are reviewing every policy and procedure that affects veterans at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. That review is expected to be completed in August.