Plainfield
Plainfield, MA · Health
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
CA firm blocked from buying nursing homes in Worcester, Fitchburg
(This story has been updated with additional information.) State officials have determined that a California company isn't suitable to buy nearly a dozen nursing homes in Massachusetts, including in Worcester and Fitchburg. The ruling by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health was shared with the Telegram & Gazette on Tuesday, Oct. 20, by Dignity Alliance Massachusetts, an advocate for quality services for the elderly. Dignity Alliance received the agency's decision on Oct. 20. The state agency said it had informed applicants affiliated with Sweetwater Care, a nursing home operator based in Carlsbad, California, that it found Sweetwater "unsuitable" to acquire 11 Next Step Healthcare nursing homes in Massachusetts, including The Hermitage Healthcare in Worcester and Fitchburg Healthcare. "We're very pleased with the ruling," said Paul Lanzikos, cofounder of Dignity Alliance Massachusetts and a former Massachusetts secretary of elder affairs. "We didn't think [Sweetwater Care] was a suitable company for operating nursing homes in Massachusetts." The public health department's email to the T&G on Oct. 21 explained the decision to deny Sweetwater's application "reflects our obligation to hold those seeking to own and operate long-term care facilities in the state to the highest standards of quality and care." The decision, the
theberkshireedge.com
ctnewsjunkie.com
westernmassnews.com
State seeks to revoke RegalCare licenses at facilities including in Greenfield and Holyoke
BOSTON (WGGB/WSHM) -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has issued a notice of intended agency action to Eliyahu “Eli” Mirlis, saying it intends to revoke the long-term care facility licenses for several RegalCare facilities, including locations in Holyoke and Greenfield. The notice, sent Tuesday, indicated that Mirlis...
westernmassnews.com
theberkshireedge.com
Yahoo!
In Massachusetts, a diesel surcharge equal to 'a teacher with benefits' is putting classroom budgets at risk
If current fuel costs persist, Peabody Public Schools warns that its diesel bill alone could climb by roughly $100,000 — reflecting broader budget pressure across school districts as energy prices rise, WBTS-CD reported. Sam Rippin, Peabody Public Schools' chief financial officer, described what that could mean for the district.
wamc.org
Mass. health secretary tours Pittsfield’s Brien Center to hear local concerns around addiction, crisis care, loneliness
The Massachusetts Health and Human Services secretary was in Pittsfield on Wednesday to hear from healthcare providers about the community’s needs. As WAMC reports, they had a lot to tell him. From a lack of public transportation and affordable housing to an abundance of addiction and mental illness, it's...
WWLP 22News
Agawam Fire Department to add third ambulance with new paramedic program
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) – The Agawam Fire Department plans to add a third ambulance during peak hours through a new staffing program that officials say will improve emergency medical response times without reducing firefighting capabilities or requiring new tax dollars. The department, Mayor Christopher Johnson and Agawam Firefighters IAFF...