I continue to question the proposed deal between Upstate Services Group and Albany County concerning the privatization of the Albany County Nursing Home.
The proposed lease requires USG hire as many of the existing nursing home employees as practical but not less than the minimum number required by health officials. The agreement also promises to keep current and future hard-to-place residents. Yet, I believe our resident's quality of care and employees' jobs and work conditions are in jeopardy.
Some of USG's other facilities have fewer staff, pay lower wages and reduced benefits than Albany County's facility. In an article by Cornell University, "Gaining a Competitive Edge Through Low Staff Turnover," findings indicate stable staffing patterns provide consistent quality and continuity of care For-profit homes' turnover rates are four times greater than county homes. State Department of Health quality-of-care inspection reports find county nursing homes with fewer health deficiencies.
Comparing Albany County to USG's current facilities, our facility had better, safer care rates when looking at several indicators measured by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on its medicare.gov website.
And USG would receive millions in taxpayer dollars.
Is this proposal in the best interest of Albany County?
Renee Barchitta
Albany County
Nursing Home
Core Family Council
Roxbury