Speak out on nursing homes

Dear Editor,

The administrator at Hillcrest said that he feels that most Nebraska senators have ben addressed by phone, letter or email about the deplorable status quo that has affected almost every nursing home in the state. They are not able to serve medicaid patients who need their services because the state funds promised to them were allocated to other entities. Hospitals are also being hit by the revolving door of unreimbursed medical bills.

There are not many socialists in Nebraska, but all of us are appalled that 60 percent or more of our neighbors and friends are being denied services here in McCook and many other nursing facilities in the state.

Many of them are no longer operating because they went bankrupt.

Mr. Cheek indicated that now we should concentrate our efforts on getting our message through to the governor. Mr. Ricketts’ only mantra is to lower property taxes and he is tone deaf to changing his tune.

We need to tweak it a little.

Property tax relief is needed for our beleaguered farmers, but there are various and sundry ways of levying taxes and raising money.

It seems that many entities are screaming for their share of tax dollars, but it’s obvious there’s not enough to go around.

Refusing services to the frailest among us who have worked all their lives to contribute to “The Good Life,” is downright criminal and is one of those things that should keep us up at night until it is resolved.

If you don’t have time to write a letter or email, simply send him a copy of this letter.

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 94848

Lincoln, NE 68509-4848

phone (402) 471-2244, fax (402) 471-6031.

Website governor-nebraska.gov

Janine Hall-Pantenburg

McCook, Neb.