I am Brad Klawitter, the new CEO of Maine Veterans’ Homes. I have been with MVH for three months and haven’t had the opportunity to meet most of you, yet.

A little background on me. I am 15.5 year, disabled AF Veteran serving in support of Operations Homeland Defense, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Air Defense of the Arabian Gulf. I also have 15+ years of senior healthcare experience, running a nursing home for the VA, as the EO to the CEO of the Indianapolis VA Health System, as CEO of two for-profit hospitals. I couldn’t be more excited to be back working with and for veterans.

I have an ask regarding an upcoming public hearing on funding for MVH (LD182) on April 1, at 1300, at the Statehouse. We are preparing an advocacy playbook that will include talking points, form letters, and how to contact your state representatives and senators. I hope to have this out to everyone tomorrow.

If you would be willing to share widely with your networks and organizations I would be grateful. We are looking for veterans and allies to either call their reps, write letters, or ideally come to the statehouse on April 1 to give a public statement on the necessity to fund MVH.

Post-pandemic, MVH has struggled financially as all nursing homes and hospitals are. Just recently, Northern Lights Inland announced closing the hospital and MaineGeneral has announced 100 layoffs starting in April.

MVH continues to have a ~$10M shortfall due to inadequate reimbursements from MaineCare. If we are not able to secure annual funding to match the cost of care, MVH will be forced to consider closures or become insolvent in the next two years.

My cell is listed in my signature line below, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with you and your organizations to ensure we continue our solemn missions of caring for those who served. I will ask my assistant Trudy to find time for me to meet each of you.

NEED as many members to show up at STATE HOUSE on APRIL 1st, at 1pm. Wear blue and greys, and covers.