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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I'll never forget the nights I spent visiting my father when he was a patient at the Albany County Nursing Home. My family and I still appreciate the attention he received from the dedicated health care professionals who made his final months as comfortable as possible. Through personal experience as a firefighter and EMT, the county nursing home has been an incredible presence in my life. I fully understand the issues we are facing, and more importantly, what's at stake.
As a county legislator, I fought against efforts to close the nursing home. I did so because viable plans to protect our most vulnerable seniors and accept financial responsibility were not part of past discussions. As county executive, I have addressed these past shortcomings.
Because the nursing home loses more than $1 million per month — which will prevent us from ever staying within the 2 percent property tax cap — I knew when I took office that this issue needed robust discussion followed by decisive action.
I sought the advice of the Capital Region's foremost health care leaders. Their answer to me was clear: Albany County should not be in the nursing home business.
After almost 18 months of consultation and study, the plan I negotiated with Upstate Services Group represents exactly the type of government transformation that taxpayers have been championing.
While there are politicians in Albany County favoring the "business as usual" attitude of the past, my approach matches the reality of today's challenges. Losing $1 million per month does not make sense. Postponing a decision for six more months, or six more years, doesn't make sense, either. For far too long, Albany County has failed in the area of good government and honest decision-making.
My nursing home plan saves millions of dollars, ensures a safety net for our seniors, offers employment to most of our dedicated workers, and, barring any new unfunded mandates or natural disasters, enables us to reach the mandated 2 percent tax cap by 2014.
After 2015, the county will no longer be subsidizing the nursing home and will instead be receiving in excess of $400,000 in annual rent. The improvements to the building under our plan will turn the facility into a real "home" — something our residents deserve.
The plan my team developed is the only plan that will work. Other plans violate Public Health Law or are financially disingenuous. All fail to definitively state when we'll stop losing taxpayers' money.
It's time to stop passing the buck and stop playing politics. It's time to start protecting seniors and taxpayers by accepting the responsibility that comes with the job of serving as Albany County elected officials. The residents, workers and taxpayers deserve it.
Daniel P. McCoy is the Albany County executive.