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Resident raises concerns that nursing homes are sending unhoused patients to Washington County
Summary
A public commenter told the board that one nursing home contracted with UMC has been sending patients with no family or housing to Washington County; supervisors treated the matter as a legal concern and voted to refer it for further review.
During public comment at the March 2 meeting, a resident reported that a nursing home with a contract with UMC has been sending people with no family or housing into Washington County and neighboring counties. The commenter said some patients arrived without family contacts and, in at least one case, a person who arrived in the county later died while on hospice.
Supervisors took the complaint seriously and discussed whether the matter should be addressed in executive session because of potential legal implications. The board voted to refer the issue for further review and to gather information about which facilities are sending residents and the nature of any contractual arrangements.
Board members said they would seek more information from county social services, the clerk's office and potentially the nursing-home operator to determine if county resources were being unduly burdened and whether county action or intergovernmental coordination is necessary.
What happens next: supervisors directed staff to investigate the reported transfers and advised that if legal issues are identified, the matter could be brought back for executive review or legal action.
