Senators Lydia Brasch and Senator Al Davis Request State Action, Oversight in Nebraska Nursing Home Closings
May 6, 2015 5 Comments
On Monday, May 4, Senator Brasch and Senator Al Davis (District 43) along with Governor Pete Ricketts, representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL), and private representatives of the nursing home care community met to ensure proper oversight and due diligence are undertaken to protect the residents and employees of various nursing home facilities.
Deseret Health Group announced last week on April 25 it would close its facility, Logan Valley Manor, in Lyons. This announcement coincided with a notice to also close another facility, Ainsworth Care Center, in Ainsworth. Deseret Health Group has now withdrawn care of all four of its facilities in Nebraska.
Currently, DHHS is working to provide receivership status for the Lyons and Ainsworth facilities. Receivership provides the state the ability to work with a private entity to take custody, manage, and protect the people, property, and assets involved. Receivership provides a temporary, legal remedy while a more permanent, long-term solution is determined.
Initially, Deseret Health Group gave a 30-day notice to the Lyons and Ainsworth facilities. However, federal law requires a 60-day notice be given with regard to the closing of a nursing home facility that accepts Medicaid and/or Medicare payments. Deseret has complied with the 60-day notice, but could not be reached for comment.
DHHS, under the new leadership of Courtney Phillips, has been actively involved at both facilities in Lyons and Ainsworth. DHHS made on-site visits to ensure adequate care was being offered and continues to monitor each facility on a shift-by-shift basis.
DOL has been working diligently to try to ensure the payment of wages for employees. Employees of the nursing home facilities were scheduled to be paid on April 30. However, Deseret Health Group is yet to provide payment of wages as of May 6. The DOL also sent a Rapid Response Team to both the Lyons and Ainsworth location to speak with employees. The Rapid Response Team provides services regarding filing wage complaints, new employment opportunities, and the requirements for filing for unemployment benefits.
Senator Lydia Brasch, representative of District 16, voiced concern for the recent announcement stating: “I am truly concerned for the residents and employees of Logan Valley Manor as they undergo this difficult transition in light of Deseret Health Group’s recent and abrupt actions. Yet, I remain hopeful as I believe the residents, family of residents, employees, citizens, businesses, and government agencies will step up and provide needed care and support for those affected.” Senator Brasch additionally indicated her desire for local groups, charitable organizations, businesses, and church communities to step in where necessary and offered gratitude for all those who have already sacrificed to ensure the health and welfare of the residents and employees of Logan Valley Manor.
Any questions or concerns for DHHS may be addressed by contacting them at 402.471.3324 (between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.), 402.499.4417 (after hours, weekends, or holidays), or by e-mail to eve.lewis@nebraska.gov. To file a wage complaint with the DOL, call 402.471.2239.
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This is interesting that 60 days are required for closure. I’m sure the Edgar facility did not have but 30 days and it does take Medicare and Medicaid payments because I had my mother in the facility from Aug 2014 to Oct. 2014. The employees found placement for 24 individuals in 30 days, worked extra shifts and were not paid. I know this to be true because I can see the facility from my home. We have individuals that had to leave our community that had lived here 80-95 years and now are 30-100 miles away from Edgar. Some are in towns that they have no friend of family in the community. This is great that the other 2 homes are getting saved but what about Edgar and Exeter. They should be given the same consideration as they provided jobs in our communities and our life long residents deserved better than having their community dissolved. The Edgar home opened in 1972 and now is sitting empty. Something is really wrong with this situation. Edgar closed May 1st. When did Deseret admit that they were insolvent? I would say they made that admission on April 30th when they told the Edgar employees not to cash their checks. This was 1 day before the last 2 residents left. Just a few things to ponder.
Thank you for your comment. This is such a sad situation for so many people and communities.
Not shocking to see that, once again, no one has taken the time to get comment from the facility itself or the company who owns it. Seems awfully one sided, with the government officials again having the only voice in the matter.
The corporation responsible for the closings will not respond to media, nor will they allow media on the premises.
Thank you for clarifying… usually news outlets will mention that someone declined to comment, and I didn’t see that being mentioned anywhere.