Report: Gov Mills to blame for explosion of nursing home closures

Photo credit: Robert F. Bukaty, AP

Maine’s largest left-leaning news outlet is out with a new report detailing the closure of five Maine nursing homes.

What’s to blame? Governor Mills’ vaccine mandate for healthcare workers and her refusal to adequately fund nursing homes.

Take a look:

A survey of Maine nursing homes this fall found that 94% experienced staff shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Maine Health Care Association, which represents 200 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

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Contracted workers, which are hired through outside agencies and can be expensive for facilities to employ, traditionally were used as a stopgap during emergency shortages. They increasingly are becoming the norm in Maine as nursing homes struggle to find qualified candidates for permanent positions.

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Staffing shortages mean facilities can’t accept new admissions, even if they have beds available, she said. And the pandemic added burnout to an existing workforce problem.

In addition, Country Manor reportedly lost six employees after Gov. Janet Mills announced a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all health workers.

The federal government sent more than two billion dollars to Janet Mills for COVID relief. Yet, Governor Mills only allocated one percent of pandemic funding to nursing homes where fifty percent of the state’s pandemic deaths occurred.

“Janet Mills’ reckless pandemic policies were a one-two punch that left five nursing homes unable to survive,” said RGA spokesman Will Reinert. “Governor Mills must admit her burdensome vaccine mandate and underfunding of nursing homes was a massive mistake that leaves hundreds of vulnerable residents without local care.”