First New Nursing Homes In Over A Decade Approved For Escambia, Santa Rosa

February 24, 2015

After more than a decade-long moratorium on adding nursing home beds, state regulators said Monday they have approved proposals for 2,600 beds in 25 counties — including 120 new beds in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

The approvals, through what is known as the “certificate of need” process, came after lawmakers last year approved a measure to lift the moratorium.
Lawmakers began the moratorium in 2001, at least in part, to help lead to more care being provided in communities instead of in nursing homes.

The Agency for Health Care Administration approved a proposal for a new $19 million, 90-bed facility to likely be located in the general area of Nine Mile Road and and the University of West Florida. The agency also approved a proposal for a $3.3 million, 30-bed addition to a current 60-bed facility on Glover Lane in Milton.

“This expansion of Florida’s long-term care infrastructure will not only provide more access to care, but will also bolster Florida’s economy for the next few years,” AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek said in a prepared statement. “In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars that will be spent on construction projects, these beds will result in hundreds of new jobs for administrative staff and caregivers.”

New nursing homes are expected to be scattered across the state, though Central Florida appears likely to see some of the most construction.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

Comments

2 Responses to “First New Nursing Homes In Over A Decade Approved For Escambia, Santa Rosa”

  1. Worried LTC nurse on February 24th, 2015 7:30 pm

    We do NOT need another LTC facility in this area. The problem is that many of the existing facilities will not accept LTC residents-they want the Medicare skilled residents instead. That is where the money is made that allows the facilities to survive and make monies for the corporations. Our system is broken.

  2. Gman on February 24th, 2015 4:48 am

    Long overdue.