Nursing homes face bankruptcy over Medicaid

Dear editor,

This Nebraska Nursing Home crisis has been a jolt to our system for senior care. State Health and Human Services committee members now are being made aware of their need to re-evaluate distribution of funds available for nursing homes. Many people are encouraging the state senators to approve changes for the better.

We are not a perfect world where everyone gets everything they want, hence the expanding Medicaid programs have reached the bottom line of economics. WHO pays the bill?

The nursing home crisis came about by receiving less payments from the state for Medicaid services. Payments each month for a Medicaid patient are now about $50 per day less than the cost of care. That is about $1,500 per month per Medicaid patient. Bankruptcy faces a nursing care facility if it has more than 50% Medicaid occupancy.

Hillcrest Nursing Home was made possible by citizens recognizing a definite need for senior care. Red Willow County voters approved a bond issue, and the facility opened in 1963. Later, two large gifts enabled the addition of three wings. Other improvements followed but now it is very difficult to cover additional needs without other support.

Until about five years ago, Hillcrest was able to financially operate like a regular business, covering all expenses including making payments for a major expansion and employee health insurance. Rules and regulations are more sophisticated to insure proper patient care. Operating costs have risen considerably.

No doubt Nebraskans will influence the state to raise their payments to nursing homes. However, this brings up the next issue for communities to face. What is the FUTURE for continued senior care services?

The FUTURE needs dependable support of the community through admissions, gifts and a back-up plan for situations such as the present crisis. Does this mean that Red Willow County Commissioners will help? Commissioners, Hillcrest Foundation and many donors have helped when financial situations got tight. My belief is that Red Willow County citizens will be up to the challenge for the future because no one wants to have to send their parents some place far, far away from home.

Our community, like all others in Nebraska, face the decision of economics, obligation and action if we go forward on a parental plan to honor and care for our senior citizens.

God Bless our Community, County, State and National leaders

Don Harpst

McCook, Nebraska