(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Sir,

Somerville Home is closing as you report, and yes they cannot stay operational at the current level of reimbursement. On average, it costs about $30-35 a day more to provide care than what Masshealth (Medicaid) will reimburse. Urban reimbursements are higher than non-urban but neither Somerville, nor Cambridge, are considered urban by Masshealth. The reimbursement is lower.

Already this year there are 17 Massachusetts nursing homes closing down. (see https://www.mass.gov/service-details/information-about-nursing-home-closures Information about nursing home closures | Mass.gov Find details about pending nursing home closures in Massachusetts and resources for residents living in these facilities. www.mass.gov ). Watertown, and in North Cambridge close to us, Sancta Maria are also closing. This will displace some 150+ needy and vulnerable residents.

This is a crisis in long term care and the administration on Beacon Hill is standing by doing nothing. Both The Somerville Home and Sancta Maria are not-for-profits. If a not-for-profit cannot survive what chance a for-profit facility. We must take steps as a matter of urgency to ensure nursing homes stay operational, the state has a huge surplus so why can’t we do this? What is the Governor doing to fix this problem?

Alan Bingham
Somerville