Bemidji VA home proposed

A pair of Bemidji legislators said the state’s five veterans homes still leave a void in service for the northwest portion of the state, so they’ve introduced bills aimed at building a sixth veterans nursing home in their hometown.

HF2601 would appropriate $250,000 in bonding proceeds for pre-design work on the proposed Northern Minnesota Veterans Home. Rep. David Hancock (R-Bemidji) sponsors the bill. Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji) sponsors HF2157, which would appropriate $10 million in bond proceeds to build the 90-bed nursing home, which would be built on donated land next to the Sanford Medical Center. The House Veterans Services Division approved both bills March 12 and referred them to the House State Government Finance Committee.

Sen. John Carlson (R-Bemidji) sponsors the respective companion bills, SF2138 and SF1773. Both await action by the Senate Capital Investment Committee.

An estimated 30,000 military veterans could be served by the proposed facility and adjacent medical clinic. Funding for the annual operating costs has not been identified, a question raised by Rep. Lyle Koenen (DFL-Clara City), who said he definitely sees a need for another facility.

Current facilities are located in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay.