Emotions Rise Over Potential Sale of Foley Home

Emotions ran high Tuesday over the potential sale of the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility, which will occur in 2011 after the Suffolk County Legislature failed to secure funding for the Yaphank nursing home through the new year.

At the public hearing held before the Legislature, staff members and families made emotional pleas to legislators hoping to prevent the closure and sale of Foley. Though others pointed the fiscal benefits of the impending $36 million sale, called for in County Executive Steve Levy's 2011 operating budget.

"If the Foley nursing home is sold, it will solve the fiscal problems of Suffolk County. We would like to start divesting taxpayers of this county's expenses that they don't have to shoulder," said Northport resident Harold Moskowitz.

Under the 2011 budget, Levy calls for the county to sell Foley nursing home to a private developer for $36 million, which after paying off associated debts and fees will net the county $19.5 million. It could result in the lay off of the facilities' 322 staff members if not kept on by the private owner.

Levy had vetoed a plan to continue funding for John J. Foley into 2011, but the . A resolution for sale of the property is still pending before the legislators. Presiding officer William Lindsay, D-Holbrook, has promised the issue will be brought up for a vote by the end of the year.

But resident Linda Ogno spoke against the sale of the Foley nursing home, calling the projected income from the sale a one-shot revenue source that would not affect taxes.

"My county tax is $90 and I pay $9,000 a year. It's not county taxes driving my family off Long Island, its your school tax," Ogno said, waving her tax bills.  "I don't believe it's in the best interest of our residents to sell off any of our county assets."

Legis. Kate Browning, WF-Shirley, said funding continued operation of Foley would cost taxpayers 31 cents per household. 

"Has Suffolk County Department of Health given their consent [for sale]? What about New York State Department of Health? Citizens of John J. Foley have paid taxes, made sacrifices for our country and now they require our services," said Nanci Dallaire of Ronkonkoma.

However, Smithtown resident Susie Schloeman presented research from New York State Department of Health's nursing home reviews as evidence the sale might be the best decision.

"Foley rates among the worst nursing homes in the state, rating in the bottom third," she said, citing 2006 to 2008 reports.  "I see no difference between this and other Medicare/Medicaid receiving facilities. It might be better to ask if loved ones want their family in Foley."

George Barnes, a Mastic resident, said his 37-year-old son, Chris, became a Foley resident on Oct. 26 after five and a half years confined in London due to a neurological disorder. Barnes said four different facilities turned down his son, due to a combination of monetary assets, his need for intensive care and hie relatively young age before finding a placement in Yaphank.

"I'd like everyone to take a deep look into your heart. This is the only public facility we have. The impact of the sale or potential closing would be catastrophic. I don't think this is a recipe for prosperity in Suffolk County," Barnes said.

Foley nurse Kathleen Reeves joined Barnes in pleading with legislators to not sell the facility, due to the level of care it provides.

"I am asking the legislators who have made a commitment not to sell the facility and not close the facility due to the type of patients we have that other facilities will not take," Reeves said. "If the facility is sold, as a nurse, having worked in hospitals and nursing home, residents will wind up in a hospital that can discharge at will."

But Dix Hills resident Art Discala said the effort to keep the nursing home open was simply out of staff members' fear for losing their jobs, which officials should not have to guarantee.