The MVFO was created in 2016 by Public Act 198, 2016. The office of the MVFO is created within the Legislative Council, a nonpartisan legislative agency. The MVFO is responsible for investigating concerns regarding the Michigan Veterans’ Facilities filed with the office by Legislators, Michigan Veterans’ Facility Members, or their family members and MVF staff. The MVFO investigates alleged violations of state law or issues concerning an administrative act, medical treatment of a facility member, or a condition existing at a facility that poses a significant health or safety issue for which there is no effective administrative remedy or is alleged to be contrary to law or policy. Our staff visit veterans’ facilities on a regular basis, interacting with the members and veterans’ facility staff. We also keep the Michigan Legislature apprised of significant events and new developments in care.
PA 198 of 2016 authorized the MVFO to access all information, records, and documents in the possession of the facility that the ombudsman deems necessary in an investigation, including, but not limited to, veterans’ facility member medical health records, resident veteran mental health records, and resident veteran mortality and morbidity records. We seek to obtain the facts surrounding an allegation and complete a comparative analysis of the allegation, facts and relevant policies, procedures, and/or statutes. It is our goal to attempt to resolve concerns at the lowest level possible and to identify and recommend corrective action.
Our mission to the Veterans, Legislature, and citizens of Michigan is: To ensure all veterans are treated with dignity and respect and that their concerns are heard and resolved. Our ability to obtain, interpret, and explain veteran policies/procedures and our knowledge of the veteran system uniquely positions the Michigan Veterans' Facility Ombudsman Office to serve the Veterans, Facility Members, Legislature, and citizens of Michigan.