More questions arise as residents move out of Amherst nursing home

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The clock is ticking for the future of a local nursing home — slated to close one month from now.

However, the fate of the Rosa Coplon Living Center in Amherst rests on a receivership request and how fast it can be reviewed by the state.

There is conflicting information about whether a formal application for receivership is needed. The Governor’s Office says it is needed to start the process, but the 1199SEIU says it is not. Nonetheless, union officials say the process of reviewing receivership began two days ago, which is something the state disputes.

Last week, the CEO of Weinberg Campus Robert Mayer announced that the Rosa Coplon Living Center would close by the end of November due to numerous financial issues. So far, the union says about 70 residents have been transferred to other facilities.

There remain 55 residents at Rosa Coplon who are questioning what will happen next.

The New York State Department of Health says receivership would be a months-long process, so they’re moving forward with closure. However, the Governor’s Office says it would work quickly when qualified applicants come forward. Lawmakers hope the nursing home is saved.

“We’re hopeful that the governor will heed our call to have her Department of Health rescind the closure, provide the resources necessary to put Rosa Coplon at Weinberg Campus on a road to receivership,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “That’s what our community is asking for and that’s what we’re hoping for.”

State law says the owner of any residential health care facility can request that the Department of Health take over the operation of a nursing home by the appointment of a receiver. However, the law also opens the door for potentially a lengthy process — an agreement between the state and the owners may need to be reached and certain conditions be met for the facility to be set.

The Governor’s Office also says the state cannot decide on its own to place Rosa Coplon in receivership — state law indicates this is something that could be left to a judge.

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Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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