Our community breathed a collective sigh of relief when the news broke that Casey’s Pond would continue to provide much-needed services for our community’s vulnerable residents. During the months of uncertainty, I witnessed in the comments sections on local media the emergence of a unified belief that these residents deserve our undivided support — the belief that how we care for our most vulnerable neighbors is a true reflection of who we are as a society. I am in awe of the community members, organizations and local leaders who stepped up to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to our collective compassionate nature.

What we witnessed in our community is not an anomaly. According to the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, “Since 2020, there are 62,567 fewer nursing home beds; 20% of nursing homes have closed a unit, wing, or floor due to labor shortages; at least 774 nursing homes have closed — these closure have displaced 28,421 residents.”

Access to quality care is a national crisis. A key driver of closures is the low reimbursement rates paid by Medicaid and Medicare for care, which contributes to the challenge of hiring, compensating, and retaining qualified health care professionals needed to effectively operate skilled nursing facilities. According the The Bell Policy Center, “A sufficient Medicaid reimbursement rate is important to ensure the costs of quality care are covered, and provide for a fair wage to health care workers. … Medicaid rates are inadequate in covering the actual costs of care because they are subject to state budget constraints.”

In response to the news reporting the imminent closure of Casey’s Pond and displacement of its residents, a lot of fingers were pointed, which brings me to the reason I am calling on my neighbors to consider the adage: “When you point a finger, three more point back.”

Finger 1: Remember we have a shared belief that our most vulnerable residents deserve quality care at all stages of life, and we have the ability to ensure this is possible.

Finger 2: Be informed about the policies proposed by national and state lawmakers, which include cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding.

Finger 3: Vote like the well-being of your beloved neighbor, friend or family member depends on it, because it does.

Cori Keberlein
Hayden