Gracedale Nursing Home Fined $80,550 By Medicare, License Reduced From Regular to Provisional

I've written repeatedly about Gracedale, Northampton County's nursing home, in recent months. In January, I told you that the facility has been cited seven times since Michelle Morton took over as Administrator. Her background is recreational therapy, not nursing homes. I've told you that the latest CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) rating places the home at just one star, which is considered well below average. The home has the added indignity of a scarlet letter in the form of a 

next to its name to warn potential residents and their families about the possibility of abuse. Finally, Executive Tara Zrinski has told County Council that a county contribution will be needed for 2025. 

I'd love to paint a prettier picture. The home serves a noble purpose and is the last refuge for many who have nowhere else to go. Unfortunately, things may actually be worse.  Medicare may impose penalties on a nursing home when there's a serious health or safety violation that remains uncorrected. Gracedale was hit with two penalties totaling $80,550 on September 19, 2025. This appears to be related to residents who were just wandering off the premises and then being retrieved by local police. 

Finally, its license is imperiled. Instead of a regular license, it now operates with a provisional license. This takes the place of a regular license when there are serious deficiencies that need correction. If the nursing home fails to meet CMS standards, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement will stop and the home will be out of business. 

There are still 14 county-owned nursing homes in Pennsylvania. All but Gracedale have regular licenses. This includes the largest county-owned nursing home, the 778-bed Fair Acres located in Lima, Pa. Of the 14 county-owned nursing homes, Gracedale provides the least amount of nursing care to residents. 

There are also 7 state-owned nursing homes. All have regular licenses and all provide more nursing care to residents. 

Pennsylvania also includes 227 nursing homes owned by non-profits. All but 3 have regular licenses.   

NorCo Council is poised to discuss Gracedale this week. It's pretty clear that everything it has tried as failed. It is time to bring in people who know what they are doing.