Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - More than a week after the announcement of the upcoming closure of the Rosa Coplon Living Center at the Weinberg Campus, the commissioner of the State Department of Health paid a visit to Western New York on Friday to tour the campus, while also providing an update on the closure process.
Dr. Jim McDonald says it remains his and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's top priority to protect the health and safety of these residents of Rosa Coplon. That's why the State Department of Health stepped in, approving of the facility's closure plans.
"I'm deeply concerned about the lack of sound financial management at Rosa Coplon. There's some rudimentary things one expects when you're running a health care facilities finances. These were lacking," said Dr. McDonald during his visit to Buffalo on Friday.
"Right now, we're down to 39 residents who are there. Rosa Coplon's done a very good job of creating an orderly and safe transfer for these residents. Keep in mind, this is all roughly two weeks ago when they were at a census of over 130 and they're now down to 39, and they've moved these residents to safe, competently run facilities."
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Earlier last month, the Rosa Coplon operator, Weinberg, advised the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) they were unable to make payroll due to severe financial problems. McDonald says these financial problems occurred after NYSDOH already provided around $5 million in financial relief over the past two years.
"The Vital Access Provider Assurance Program (VAPAP), it's meant for severe financially-distressed nursing homes. It's meant to be a one-time infusion of money to help a nursing home turn around. It's unusual for us to fund a nursing home more than once," McDonald explained. "We funded Rosa Coplon twice to just under $5 million. That funding helped save Rosa Coplon from potential closure twice now, and allowed this operator to develop a plan for long-term financial stability. Since that's time, it's extremely clear Weinberg did not develop a plan for long-term financial stability, which has brought us to where we are today."
Perhaps what upset Dr. McDonald the most throughout this process is after Weinberg recently advised they were unable to make payroll, the Board President and the majority of its Board members stepped down.
"During their darkest hour, the Board President and the majority of the Board members resigned. The department subsequently approved Weinberg's plan to close Rosa Coplon," McDonald said. "This was to avoid an emergency transfer of these beautiful people at Rosa Coplon, who, quite frankly, deserve a whole lot better.
"I've been in health care for 35 years, I've been in the Navy. I know a thing or two about leadership. Healthcare enterprises - whether it's a nursing home, a hospital, any group practice - they generally do well when they have strong leadership and strong governance. It is absolutely critical to have strong leadership and strong governance. Rosa Coplon deserves far better than what it has received."
McDonald says NYSDOH is prepared to work quickly with any qualified applicant who steps forward regarding the long-term preservation of the Rosa Coplon Living Center. However, any formal application for a change in the operator of the nursing home or receivership has not been received at this time.
"Nursing homes are stringently regulated by the Department of Health, because senior citizens are some of the most vulnerable people in our community. It would be irresponsible and dangerous for the department to hastily approve any new owner without conducting due diligence, and ensuring that any new donor is able to keep the residents safe," McDonald explained. "I think we would all agree on the importance of working to preserve Rosa Coplon in the long-term, and to do so, we must follow the appropriate process."
McDonald says right now, he knows there is interest in finding someone to take over the Weinberg Campus, but warns this process is not something that will be done quickly. It will be done expeditiously.
"It's a priority for me, it's priority for the governor, it's a priority for the department. But just to be clear to everybody, approving someone operating a nursing home is a deliberate, intentional and thoughtful process," he said. "If you're running a nursing home, it requires expertise. It's complex, there's federal and state regulations that are there for a good reason to keep our residents safe."
McDonald certainly understands this is a tough time for not just the residents, but also the workers and the families of those being moved. He says what happened at the Rosa Coplon Living Center occurred through no fault of of the families.
"Certainly not the residents' or the families' fault. What we're seeing right now, though, is families are being moved to nursing homes where they can be treated safely and competently. And I am grateful that the Rosa Coplon leadership team that's there right now, this is tough for them," McDonald added.
"This is the safest way to do it right now, is to have an orderly and safe transition for these residents. And as difficult as that is, the Rosa Coplon staff is doing a great job at saying goodbye to their friends, and helping them find new homes."