As Albany County continues to debate the future of its nursing home, we asked the key voices in the discussion to offer their thoughts on why the county can or cannot continue to operate the home the way it has long been run, and, if not, what their solution is.
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The Albany County Nursing Home is the most sensitive issue I've had to deal with in years. I believe it's a part of our mission as a county government. It's all about people.
In most cases, these people have no other place to turn or have been turned away from private care. Many of these people are also taxpayers and have invested in the nursing home.
County Executive Daniel McCoy has indicated that the nursing home is losing $12 million a year. Is this figure accurate?
According to the state comptroller's office, in 2011 and 2012 the actual operating cost was $8 million each year.
Why is Mr. McCoy's cost so much more than the previous administration? One must be skeptical of a plan when valuable information is withheld or fabricated by the county executive.
While Upstate Services Group's proposal was handpicked, it removes the county from permanently operating a nursing home. All employees will be released from county employment. Those that are rehired will find their benefit packages are cut by more than 50 percent.
The county will lose an opportunity to generate revenue by not maintaining control of the beds that are worth tens of thousands of dollars each. Those beds will be gifted to USG, as will the $8.9 million. Something is wrong with this picture.
The only responder to the county's request for an alternative solution is still being analyzed. Under third-party management, operated by Larry Slatky, the nursing home will continue operating through the county. The employees will remain county employees.
Contrary to recent misrepresentations, this proposal does not violate the law or the collective bargaining agreement. Quality of care will always be monitored and new services will be implemented. In addition, the proposed administrator is nationally recognized and respected as a long-term health care leader and is relocating to Albany County, making a commitment to save the nursing home.
This proposal amounts to approximately 10 cents per day, per county resident. The county has an opportunity to break even after two years and begin operating profitably.
The Albany County Legislature's majority will remain serving the taxpayers and continue to do our due diligence when it comes to making important decisions. The third-party Slatky proposal meets the wants and needs of the nursing home residents, employees and citizens of our community.
Frank Commisso Sr. is the Democratic majority leader of the Albany County Legislature.