Affinity Healthcare Emerges From Bankruptcy [The Hartford Courant, Conn.]

Aug. 31--Affinity Healthcare Management, which runs four nursing homes in Connecticut, has emerged from bankruptcy under the same ownership.

The Cheshire-based company worked with several federal and state agencies to reorganize and keep open nursing homes in Hartford, Bloomfield, Windham and Enfield, according to the company. Affinity also credited its vendors and employees with the successful turnaround.

The reorganization included the modification of HUD mortgages that led to savings in annual rent for the homes; the forgiving of certain tax obligations; the development of long-term repayment plans for past-due taxes; and a settlement with the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

"We are stronger than ever," said Benjamin Fishman, Affinity's managing member and president. "Everyone recognizes the high level of care these homes provide and with our improved financial situation, we can only get better."

Elizabeth J. Austin, Affinity's bankruptcy counsel and a lawyer at Pullman & Comley, said nursing homes that are forced into bankruptcy most often are either purchased, forced into receivership or closed.

"But that wasn't the case here, in large part because of the flexibility of several state and federal agencies," Austin said.

The nursing homes are Alexandria Manor, a 120-bed facility in Bloomfield; Blair Manor, a 98-bed facility in Enfield; Douglas Manor, a 90-bed facility in Windham and Ellis Manor, a 105-bed facility in Hartford.

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