State Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Manchester, speaks during debate on March 1, 2023, in the Missouri House (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).
House Democrats on Wednesday made an unsuccessful push to override Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s veto of $2.5 million in funding for oversight of the state’s nursing homes, with all but eight Republicans voting to sustain the governor’s action.
It is the second year in a row Parson has vetoed funding for nursing home oversight.
State Rep. Deb Lavender, a Democrat from Manchester, led the effort, arguing that the money would make Missouri’s nursing home residents safer.
“There are complaints that are going unanswered,” Lavender said, adding that one-third of Missouri’s nursing homes have been found to have serious deficiencies.
The additional funding would have helped the state’s long-term care ombudsman program hire more staff to advocate for nursing home residents.
The ombudsman program is composed of staff and volunteers tasked with helping protect and advocate for the interests of nursing home residents. They often serve as liaisons between a resident and the facility when issues arise, investigating and resolving complaints. Ombudsmen can help ensure residents are able to go to the bathroom, take their medications and be fed on time, for instance.