NHCA Holds Press Conference on Nebraska's "Care Deserts"

February 9, 2024
Contact: Lindsay Kant, Director of Membership

Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA) held a press conference on Feb. 8 at the Nebraska State Capitol to communicate the importance of all Nebraskans having access to care in a nursing home or assisted living facility, when and where they need it (right care, right time, right place); illustrate geographic “care deserts” in Nebraska; the challenges the situation brings to quality of life for nursing home and assisted living facility residents, residents’ family members, and staff; and how the long-term care profession is addressing workforce challenges. The conference was streamed live on the NHCA Facebook page, and a recording can be viewed below.

"Every day, 23,000 Nebraskans receive vital health care services in our nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state," NHCA President and CEO Jalene Carpenter said. "These facilities employ 30,000 team members, are hubs of activity and major economic drivers for their town, supporting $3 billion of Nebraska’s economic activity."

Fifteen Nebraska counties have no nursing home or assisted living facility, which has created a "care desert."

Nebraskans’ access to care in these settings is becoming increasingly limited due to a lack of adequate funding for services provided, a depleted workforce, and an increase in the cost of goods and services needed to operate.

Access to care in these settings is becoming increasingly limited due to a tight labor market, rapid inflation causing the cost of goods, services, and labor to soar, and historical lack of adequate funding for services provided. 

"Being a member of Appropriations Committee for several years, we are aware of the gap between payment and cost of care in our nursing homes and assisted living facilities and have taken steps to close the gap, yet it still remains," Senator Myron Dorn said. 

Senator Dorn has introduced two appropriations bills, LB941 and LB942, to include nursing home and assisted living funding in the state budget.

Speakers at the press conference included:

  • Jalene Carpenter, President and CEO, Nebraska Nursing Facility Association and Nebraska Assisted Living Association – NNFA and NALA represent approximately 401 nonprofit and proprietary nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Nebraska.
  • Belinda Coble, RN, Brookestone View, Broken Bow – Belinda worked for Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Mullen, which closed in April 2022, before starting at Brookestone View. Her round trip commute for a shift is now more than 250 miles.
  • Jeanne Gentry, former Brookestone View resident – Jeanne required skilled nursing care but there was a lack of health care options near her home due to the "care desert," leading her to choose Brookestone View in Broken Bow.
  • Senator Myron Dorn, District 30 – Senator Dorn has introduced two appropriations bills to include nursing home and assisted living funding in the state budget.
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Nebraska Health Care Association is the parent to Nebraska Nursing Facility Association (NNFA) and Nebraska Assisted Living Association (NALA), as well as Nebraska Health Care Learning Center and Nebraska Health Care Foundation. NNFA and NALA collectively represent approximately 401 nonprofit and proprietary nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Nebraska.