Atlantic County, NJ, Nursing Home is Losing Millions Every Year

Atlantic County, New Jersey Executive Dennis Levinson is fully aware of the fact that the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is losing about $ 5 million per-year.

The facility is owned and operated by The County of Atlantic.

The current economic realities make this an unsustainable reality in the long-term. Complicating the matter is the fact that this facility is much needed in Atlantic County.

Levinson notes that there were once 21 county-operated nursing homes in the state of New Jersey. Meadowview is now one of only three left in the state.

Levinson would like to see the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center become the fourth state-operated Veterans Home in the state of New Jersey.

However, Levinson’s proposal was declined by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Levinson has received a letter from Brigadier General Yvonne Mays confirming the declination.

We're disappointed with the decision, especially since we had so much support from veteran organizations, community members and our own employees who looked forward to expanding the care of our veterans, said Levinson.

Meadowview has an important 30-bed Veterans Wing that is a vital part of the 180-bed skilled nursing facility, which is located in Northfield, New Jersey.

Meadowview has never really recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been difficult for the County to attract nursing staff, which has led to empty beds and substantial lost revenue.

We're operating at a loss of approximately $5 million a year which we can no longer absorb, said Levinson. When I became county executive in 2000, there were 21 county-operated nursing homes in New Jersey. Meadowview is now one of only three in the state, said Levinson.

Meadowview has been very important to both civilians and veterans for decades.

Levinson wants to see Meadowview become a veterans' facility. Levinson has advised that the county must consider other options, including selling the facility.

"Should we issue a request for proposals, we will be clear that any interested party must provide assurances for existing staff and residents. We want a commitment of 24 months employment with benefits for existing staff. We will not turn our backs on them,” said Levinson.

Here are some Michael Merlino photos of veterans at Meadowview.

SOURCE: Linda Gilmore, Chief of Staff - Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson.