Kim McKay, staff at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, told the Senate Budget Committee that the facility is seeing its resident census climb and is asking the Senate to support spending needed to keep care and infrastructure current.

The home, established in 1889, reported a current census of 140 residents earlier in the year and a census of 130 at the hearing, with an active wait list and a goal to reach a higher authorized census by fiscal 2025. “New Hampshire veterans home was established in 1889. … We are very happy to report that we’re strong,” McKay said. She told senators the facility is licensed for 192 beds and budgeted for 384 staff positions, and that recent hiring gains have enabled admissions to rise after the COVID‑19 downturn.

The nut graf: the home says rising VA per‑diem revenue for higher disability ratings and increasing resident counts reduce reliance on state general funds, but continued recruitment and infrastructure replacement remain central budget drivers. McKay said the home uses a VA per‑diem program “enabled under c, 38 CRF 51 41,” and noted that per‑diem rates vary with disability: “less than a 70% disability rating, the daily per diem rate is $144.10. For those who are disabled, 70 or higher, we have a rate of $587 and 20¢.” She added that the PACT Act is increasing the number of veterans qualifying for higher per‑diems.

Officials outlined capital priorities the governor supported, including replacing three rooftop air handlers (about $1.3 million), a diesel tank replacement ($60,000), replacement of resident tubs and bariatric equipment, and replacement of 50 resident beds. The house added funding for accessibility and infection‑prevention upgrades in two tower sections.

Senators pressed for detail on a House Bill 2 footnote the home seeks to restore: language that would permit certain transfers above a $100,000 threshold to go to fiscal review. Senator Rosemull asked whether the $100,000 threshold would be cumulative; staff answered that such thresholds are typically cumulative for a specific accounting unit. McKay and the home’s CFO said the footnote has historically allowed the home flexibility to transfer revenue sources (room and board, VA per‑diem, agency income) without seeking separate approvals each time and that restoring the language would help manage maintenance dollars.

On staffing and clinical concerns, senators asked about flu vaccination reporting and food service. McKay said flu vaccination status is collected but not mandated or fully reported because staff can decline to share; she offered to provide the count on request. On food quality she said the home is working with residents and will convene in‑person taste tests to address complaints; the home also discussed partnering with community‑college culinary programs to provide meals and student experience.

Ending: McKay invited senators to visit the New Hampshire Veterans Home and reiterated that the facility is pursuing modest renovations to move some shared‑bathroom rooms to single rooms for 20 residents, not to change total bed count. She said she would answer follow‑up budget questions and thanked the committee for considering the home’s requests.