Constitutional Violations Uncovered in New Jersey State-Run Veterans Homes During Pandemic

The Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey have found that inadequate pandemic infection control and medical care at two state-run veterans homes in New Jersey violated the U.S. Constitution. The report highlighted a systemic inability to implement clinical care policy, poor communication between management and staff, and a failure to ensure basic staff competency, which allowed the virus to spread unchecked. The homes had among the highest numbers of reported deaths during the first wave of the coronavirus, and deficiencies in basic care still persist. The findings are a blow to Governor Phil Murphy, who has faced criticism for his response to the pandemic at these facilities.