Peoria County is exploring the future of its public nursing facility. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports the move comes as the current administrator of Heddington Oaks leaves this spring:
Matt Nieukirk is leaving after eight years with the county. He says Heddington Oaks operations were in the black last year. But Nieukirk says the facility is taking financial hits from the state, including reimbursement rates for Medicaid-funded beds:
“They have not increased Medicaid for probably three to five years, and the other thing is the state is delayed on paying.”
The state currently owes Peoria County more than $600,000 in back payments for Medicaid-beds. Staff proposed possible options going forward for Heddington Oaks. That could include keeping the status quo, having a third-party run the facility, or selling it.