Rep. LeGeyt Tours Avon Health Center, Listens to Concerns about State Funding

AVON—Last Wednesday, State Rep. Timothy B. LeGeyt (R-17) toured Avon Health Center alongside Director of Operations Russell Schwartz and Administrator Laura Nelson who shared the facility’s challenges and successes, including their new 5 Star Medicare rating. 

As he walked through the 120-bed facility, Rep. LeGeyt listened to concerns regarding the difficulty in maintaining a high level of care as profits dwindle due to Medicare and Medicaid cuts.  

“Avon Health Center has provided generations of local residents with high quality medical and patient care, helping to improve treatment and recovery,” said Rep. LeGeyt, a Member of the Public Health Committee in the Legislature. “However, government regulations and under-funded programs threaten to impede the facility’s ability to provide top notch care. I look forward to bringing what I learned at Avon Health Center to the Capitol and working to find ways to help them continue to provide quality services to patients.” 

During the tour Rep. LeGeyt learned about the diverse forms of care administered at the state-of-the-art Center, including dialysis, advanced wound care, moderate cognitive impairment care and occupational therapy. 

Rep. LeGeyt added “I’m impressed that Avon Health Center has been able to achieve a 5 Star Medicare rating given the financial challenges of government mandates, low reimbursements and high patient expectations.” 

Last month The Centers for Medicare Services granted Avon Health Center a 5 Star Medicare rating – the highest rating possible – based on the facility’s excellent state inspection history, superior staffing and exemplary quality care. 

Family-owned Avon Health Center has been providing 24-hour nursing care to patients for over sixty-five years. Their extensive staff of physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses provide short-term rehabilitation, skilled long-term care, hospice care and other specialized medical and nursing services.