HARTFORD -- Union members contesting an owner's plan to close a Waterbury nursing home brought their struggle Thursday to the door of Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
The governor was not there to accept a petition asking for state intervention, but a spokesman announced Rell was intensifying state efforts to keep the Health Care Center of Greater Waterbury open.
More than two dozen union members welcomed the encouraging words from Rell, but made it clear what they want is state action.
"Keep this nursing home open," said Rose Wood, vice president of New England Health Care Employees Union District 1199.
The union petition asked the Rell administration to go to Superior Court to have the home put in receivership until a purchaser can be found.
The governor's office made no such commitment.
But Rell did direct the state Department of Social Services to intensify its negotiations to prevent the nursing home from closing.
"The state will make every reasonable step to keep the nursing home open and prevent disruption to the lives of both the residents and the workers," Rell said in a statement.
The governor was out of the state Thursday.
Michael Starkowski, deputy commissioner of the Department of Social Services, told union members outside the governor's office Thursday morning that talks with the owner were ongoing.
"I think it is fair to say today's announcement addresses most, if not all, of the concerns that the employees, the residents and owners have expressed," Judd Everhart, Rell's chief spokesman, added.
The owner of the home, Five Star Quality Care Inc., has asked for state permission to close the facility for financial reasons. According to the company, most of its patients are Medicaid recipients and the Medicaid payments do not cover the cost of care.
Five Star sought a $276-a-day Medicaid payment for each resident. The state initially proposed increasing its reimbursements from $187 to $222 per patient per day, and later upped the offer to $225. The company followed up with its letter of intent to close.
The Rell administration contends the $225 daily rate is sufficient enough for Five Star to keep the home open while a buyer is found. It says the company should accept the offer, withdraw its letter of intent to close and rescind the termination notices sent to employees.
