BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — In a letter to residents obtained by 7 News, Weinberg Campus announced plans to close the Rosa Coplon Living Center in Getzville.
In the letter, Peter Fadeley, Administrator of the center, said that in August the Board and President and CEO of Weinberg Campus created and submitted a closure application to the New York State Department of Health based on the financial viability of the center and being able to meet the residents needs.
According to the letter, on October 18, the President and CEO received notice from the NYSDOH that the closure plan was approved and would be announced on October 23.
The letter says that they will work with every resident and family over the next few weeks to choose a nursing facility.
"I will ask that you select 3 nursing homes you are allowing to screen and make an offer on. Once that decision is made we will work with that facility to assist in the transfer process," the letter says.
Weinberg Campus confirmed the closure in a statement to 7 News and said it will close on November 30, 2024, or when the last resident is discharged, whichever comes first.
"Rosa Coplon Jewish Home and Infirmary, d/b/a Rosa Coplon Living Center, has been providing services to the aging population of Erie County since 1916. Rosa Coplon is proud of the nursing home services it has provided throughout the years. Nevertheless, financial strain on the provision of services has resulted in the tremendously difficult decision that Rosa Coplon must discontinue operation of its nursing home, effective on the earlier of (i) November 30, 2024 or (ii) the date the last resident is discharged from Rosa Coplon Living Center.
It is with great sadness that the Rosa Coplon Board of Directors and Administration have decided that it is necessary to close this great community resource. Rosa Coplon is currently working with the New York State Department of Health to ensure that this transition as smooth as possible. We will assist each and every resident, their families and our valued employees to secure new housing options, care and job placement.
The Board of Directors cited a potential sale that failed to occur after nearly six years, federal and state regulatory burdens, low Medicaid reimbursement rates, escalating delivery costs, a shrinking skilled health care workforce, and the current incentives to have elders and those requiring medical rehabilitation to remain at home for care as reasons for the closure."
The NYSDOH said the following when reached for comment:
“The wellbeing of nursing home residents is, and will continue to be, a top priority of the New York State Department of Health. While the Department has approved the closure plan submitted by the Weinberg Campus for the Rosa Coplon Living Center, DOH will ensure the facility operator and administrator carry out a safe and orderly closure that respects the needs and desires of - and is as minimally disruptive as possible to - the residents and their families.
The Department approved the closure plan after Counsel for Weinberg presented the resolution from the Board of Directors, which voted to approve the closure and potential liquidation of assets due to significant debt that is impeding the nursing home from meeting its immediate obligations to safeguard and serve residents.
In addition, the Department has reviewed the significant debt outlined and provided by Weinberg’s CEO, in which millions of dollars are past due and affect all aspects of Weinberg’s operations. DOH staff have been onsite monitoring the services provided for the past several days after intervening to ensure all employees were paid last week and that utilities were secure. While we are disturbed by the Board and CEO’s inaction to address the underlying concerns that directly impact the health and safety of the campus’ residents, the Department will ensure that the facility remains operational until all residents have been safely placed elsewhere.”
Several residents and employees at Weinberg Campus took what felt like a gut punch after learning that the facility will be closing.
The closure impacts more than 300 members of SEIU, and as of Thursday, according to the center's administration, 113 residents now have to be transferred.
"Residents in the hall don't know what's going to happen next. They don't want to leave. This is their home. This is their second home for most. We just don't know what to do. We have asked the state to step in and help with receivership. If it's doable, we don't understand why no one has stepped up to help the workers and the residents here," 1199 United Healthcare Workers East Organizer Darlene Gates said.
SEIU held a press conference Thursday afternoon after employees told the union about the announcement.
"Our residents need us here. These people rely on us, and rely looking forward to seeing them when I come to work. I am just asking the board, the state, I'm asking the governor. We're asking whoever can help us. Give us some help. We need y'all right now. Some of us live from paycheck to paycheck. We need y'all. We need all the help we can get right now. Somebody please hear us out," Weinberg Campus Employee Lizetta Bosley said.
"I also had to cancel my daughter's appointment due for a sleep study to see about her having seizures in her sleep. I cannot get that now. I have to wait. We are worth saving. Just help us. We are a family with everyone. We just need help and it's worth helping," Weinberg Campus Employee LaShawn Solomon said.
I was there at an informational meeting Thursday night and although my cameras were not allowed, I heard from a few family members of residents who are now searching for places where to place their loved ones.
According to the union, $6 million is needed from New York State to keep the facility open. The New York State Department of Health has a choice to keep this facility open by funding transfer of ownership.
The dire circumstances also caught the attention of Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa and Assemblywoman Karen McMahon.
"The Town of Amherst is very interested in seeing this place stay, seeing the residents be able to stay, seeing the SEIU employees stay, see their benefits re-established and be able to stay in their jobs servicing the members of our community who need it most," Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa said.
Last week we spoke with Gates who said workers at Weinberg Campus had called her to tell her their most recent paychecks bounced. The union said the workers were paid the next day but were still worried that the facility would close. That was on top of ongoing concerns workers have voiced over unpaid wage increases and benefits.
Gates said they reached a bargaining agreement on an 18-month contract this past summer and that workers have yet to see any of those wage and benefit promises.
We followed up with Gates the next day who said workers and union organizers were calling for new leadership.
