I don't know who puts together the News-Gazette polls, but today's poll on the County Nursing Home is pretty indicative of the attitudes of some. The question is "What should Champaign County do about the financial problems at the county nursing home?"
The choices are Sell, Lease, Raise Taxes, Close, or Nothing. Whoever crafted the question apparently never considered that the home could actually be run more efficiently and could actually make some money.
On the positive side, after years of opting for "nothing" at least some members of the County Board seem committed to something.
It seems strange to me that there are many nursing homes in Champaign County and the only one we hear about going under is the County home. Perhaps the management should be looked at. The other homes do are not tax supported or have a bank that does not require payback of loans. If nothing else the board should investigate how the others are managed.
It does seem like it is time to look at the management of the nursing home. The county taxpayers built a brand new facility which is a very nice facility even though it had more than its' share of problems. However, even with having this brand new facility, the management cannot operate on a break even basis. This is at a time when other private nursing homes can operate at a profit when at the same time paying off a building. Maybe the new Advisory Board will be able to determine where things are going wrong.
The taxpayers of Champaign County have already voted to tax themselves to build the new facility. If the county cannot operate the nursing home on a break even basis after being given the new facility perhaps it is time to lease or sell the facility to a private operator who can operate it profitably. Let's not go back and hit the taxpayers again for money to operate the new facility.
The other homes do are not tax supported or have a bank that does not require payback of loans. If nothing else the board should investigate how the others are managed.
Why are you trying to lay this on 'the management"? Private nursing homes don't pay the "living wage." Private homes don't offer exhorbitant retirement and health benefits. Hard for "the management" to keep an operation in the black when they're forced to overpay for workers.
Correct, Wonton. If government wants to impose requirements regarding wages and benefits that are out of step with 'the market,' we had all be ready to write checks to support those mandates. That don't take no genius.
What business in its right mind will want to Lease or Buy a Nursing home who's largest customer is the State of Illinois.
Here is a hint, it is the same answer as how many thumbs are there on your foot?
Who I am, is who I want to be...
Rex Bradfield
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