Proposal for nursing home closure draws wide opposition

by Caitlin Emma -- THE CT MIRROR

After three years, Dorothy Lewis has come to think of the Wethersfield Health Care Center as home. Now, she testified Thursday, she fears losing that home and the workers she considers family as the nursing home's owners try to shut it down.

"I'm standing up to show you I've been restored to complete normal health," she said, lauding the physical therapy she has received as a resident. She said she came in losing weight with mobility problems. "I've been here for three years and my family and friends felt this place was the best possible place I could be, and now I always clean my plate."

Elected state officials, Wethersfield town officials, residents' families, nursing home staff and union members also attended the public hearing to oppose the application for a certificate of need required by Wethersfield Health's operators to close the facility.

Kevin Breslin, the executive vice president of 341 Jordan Lane Operating Company II, LLC, read the list of reasons why he and HealthBridge Management believe the nursing home isn't financially viable. He cited annual financial losses, too few residents, Medicaid payments that fail to cover costs, reduced Medicare payments and a state and federal initiative to move nursing home residents into the community as reasons for closure.

"Our decision to seek closure was not made lightly," Breslin said. "There's no realistic way to operate here and be financially viable."

For the rest of the story, go to http://www.ctmirror.org/.

 

Comments

[Janay]

I don't know who you wrote this for but you helped a brhoter out.