New studies constantly report similar findings – nursing and long-term care homes, especially in rural areas, are closing at an alarming rate.
A recent study found South Dakota loses a nursing facility once every seven or eight months, part of a larger trend since 2015 across the nation.
The state Association of Healthcare Organizations, or SDAHO, has tallied closures across the state since 2016. Justin Hinker is the groups VP of post-acute care. He said many facilities never fully recovered from the pandemic.
“That was certainly a difficult time for residents in facilities and for facilities to navigate that whole situation," Hinker said. "I would say that we’re maybe coming out of COVID and it’s maybe becoming more back to normal.”
He said supporting these facilities are a healthcare and economic issue for small town South Dakota.
“There is access, which is very nice for families, you can have your loved ones close to home," Hinker said. "From a financial or economic standpoint, it is great for people that live in the community to have a nursing facility to work in the community they live in. Having the availability of jobs.”
Those reasons, Hinker said, are critical motivations for action by lawmakers.
“We certainly appreciate all the work the governor has done, the legislature has done, to increase Medicaid reimbursement," Hinker said. "Given the state budget, working within whatever they can do to help nursing facilities and support them with continued increases in Medicaid reimbursement.”
South Dakota’s closure rate over 12.5 percent is the seventh highest in America.