Lehigh County commissioners prepared to select Cedarbrook’s fate
In March, an architectural study of the nursing home presented commissioners with several ways they could upgrade the facility. The study presented Wednesday examined those options and estimated how much the county could save under each possibility.
Commissioners have been asking for these cost studies for years, but political impasses and infighting have slowed down the timetable. But with all the information finally in hand, there's no reason commissioners cannot reach a decision at their
"One thing I finally feel like we have is momentum. We have to keep it moving forward," said Nothstein, chairman of the board of commissioners.
Whatever decision commissioners reach is bound to affect generations of seniors and tax payers. The options range from doing nothing and keeping Cedarbrook in its current state to adding a new wing and renovating old ones to starting fresh with a facility at a different location.
On Wednesday night, it wasn't clear which option commissioners would select. Commissioner
"I'd be ready to vote tonight, but I don't necessarily believe everyone else would," Hartzell said.
Commissioners
None of the options the commissioners will consider, however, will save money in the long term. The most cost-efficient plan would have the county build a seven-story wing at the
That financial burden had Commissioner
"I had two or three people walk up to me and say, 'Keep my county taxes low. We can't afford it up here,' " said Creighton, who represents the county's northern tier.
Currently, about 80 percent of Cedarbrook's 670 beds go to patients on Medicaid, which provides coverage to people with limited resources. Medicaid funding, however, provides a lower level of funding than private insurance or Medicare patients. In theory, upgrading the nursing home with modern amenities like semi-private bathrooms may attract better-paying patients. However, that possibility is offset by the number of Medicaid patients in need of care.
While the number of seniors in the
"The reasons to [upgrade] it is our commitment to provide a safety net for these seniors who have the need, who have outlived their money," Muller said.
Over the past few years, conservative commissioners and Muller have blamed one another for how long the Cedarbrook debate has dragged on. On Wednesday, however, neither side focused on the length of the debate and instead discussed how to keep the project on track.
"It looks like a good summary of where we are and the decision ahead of us," said Osborne, who is campaigning to succeed Muller as county executive.
Cedarbrook options
Here are the options
Upgrade the
Upgrade patient rooms at the
Upgrade patient rooms at the
Upgrade patient rooms at the
Acquire land, build a new facility and close
610-820-6168
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