1. Statement of policy. It is the policy of the State to ensure the provision of long-term care, support and services to eligible veterans and their family members in every region of the State and the intent of the Legislature that the Maine Veterans’ Homes implement this policy by providing long-term care, support and related services to fulfill the State’s moral obligation to promote the well-being and dignity of the veterans who have served their nation, often in times of war and at great cost.

2. Purpose; location of homes. The primary purpose of the Maine Veterans’ Homes is to provide support and care for honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces or who served in the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces on active duty for other than training purposes and for any other class of veterans who meet applicable state and federal requirements to receive services provided by the Maine Veterans’ Homes. The Maine Veterans’ Homes provide long-term care, support and related services to eligible veterans and family members of veterans in every region of the State. To carry out the duty of providing long-term care, support and related services to eligible veterans and family members of veterans, the Maine Veterans’ Homes must be located in Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, Scarborough and South Paris. The homes located in the municipalities listed in this subsection must remain in continuous operation and no location may discontinue services unless the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans’ Homes follows the process established in section 612.

3. Additional services. In addition to the provision of long-term care, support and related services, the Maine Veterans’ Homes may provide nonnursing facility care and services, including inpatient health care programs and adult day health care programs, to Maine veterans if approved by appropriate state and federal authorities. The Maine Veterans’ Homes may construct community-based outpatient clinics for Maine veterans in cooperation with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and may construct and operate veterans hospice facilities, veterans housing facilities and other facilities authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Maine Veterans’ Homes, using available funds, including, but not limited to, funds sought under section 604, subsection 6. Any funds loaned to the Maine Veterans’ Homes for operating purposes from the funded depreciation accounts of the Maine Veterans’ Homes must be reimbursed from any funds received by the Maine Veterans’ Homes and available for that purpose.