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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, August 19, 2019

Gracedale Has 44% of the Medicaid Beds in NorCo

As of Friday, Gracedale was still rated two stars, or below average, by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Nearly every month, there are reports of problems at the facility, which are repeated in news accounts. But there's a reason. The Northampton County nursing home has 44% of the Medicaid beds in the county.

"Gracedale is absolutely necessary," Executive Lamont McClure reported to Northampton County Council at their August 15 meeting. "If Gracedale wasn't there and county-owned, there would be a legitimate crisis of care for people who are on Medicaid."

McClure noted that many of the residents at Gracedale suffer from Alzheimer's, dementia or a combination of both in a schizophrenic setting. If the county chooses against psychotropic drugs for some, they can become violent. "We're taking care of the sickest folks, and we don't turn anyone away." He added that the recent state decision to close White Haven means the county will be getting those folks, too.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Translation: I bashed my predecessors for it, but now don't blame me for the low rating. It's Trump's fault!

Anonymous said...

"I said I'd fix Gracedale. But now that's it's worse than ever, I'm pivoting to an explaining campaign."

He's running the worst Gracedale in county history. Executives from both parties have struggled with Gracedale, but did a far better job managing it. I suspect this is the first of many don't-believe-your-lying-eyes, in-kind, campaign pieces to come. It's game on.

Anonymous said...

How do we go from the best to mediocre? Executives in the late eighties and nineties didn't seem to have todays problems. They corrected wage scales and came up with ingenious ways to improve the work force while providing educational opportunities to all Gracedale employees. When in doubt about your work force...….look at the wages.

Anonymous said...

Gracedale employees get paid the same as they would caring for the rich. Why only two stars when with the money thrown at this place should give this a five star hotel experience.

Anonymous said...

Seriously?
So poor people don't deserve quality care????
The Medicaid percentage has always been high. This is NOT news.
Other administrations and Gracedale administrators were able to accommodate the high Medicaid percentage AND provide good care for our elderly.
Pathetic excuse.

Anonymous said...

McClure translation: "But, but, but ,but ......"

McClure's thinks his legacy will be an over-spec'd, over-priced forensic center that might eventually bear his name. Pharaohs and their pyramids, you know. His true legacy will be the stunning deterioration off Gracedale under his watch.

I'm sure he'll get to addressing it, just as soon as he vindictively screws some more employees for back pay. Lamont being Lamont is the best Lamont.

Anonymous said...

The best thing McClure could do is hire someone he can trust who has actually managed things and handled a large staff. he is clueless since he has never run anything.

Anonymous said...

Cathy Allen did a better job..

Bernie O'Hare said...

Lol, she and John Brown are Lamont McClure’s strongest arguments.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, 6:42 am has stated it right, it's Trump that has caused the failing in care for the local elderly by design!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Sounds like John Brown.

Words like "douche bag" and "asshole" give you away, Mezzacuckoo.

Anonymous said...

8:56 sounds like they are describing Trump.

Anonymous said...

Administrators make poor lawyers. Lawyers make poor administrators. We elected a lawyer. He is a woefully poor administrator. Elections have consequences. In the case of Gracedale, those consequences involve lives.