Last week, Northampton County made another step in the transition of its county nursing home from county to private hands when council decided unanimously to hire Premier Healthcare Resources to manage Gracedale.
According to an article in The Morning Call of Allentown, council members still have concerns about Premier’s goals for Gracedale. However, Premier’s president, Joanne Jones, said after the meeting that they usually do not see a large turnover in employees when a county home moves into private management.
Jones also assured council that Premier would not turn away residents based on their ability to pay for care, a point that is important for Gracedale, since most of its residents receive medical assistance.
Premier has reduced debt at similar facilities and feels they will be able to help Gracedale stay in the black, which is another issue that has plagued the nursing home.
The county’s contract with Premier would be for two years, with three one-year renewal options.