---

Dear Editor;
In 2014, I was elected to the non-partisan Iowa County Board as the Ridgeway representative. That November there was an advisory referendum of which over 90% of the residents gave a nod that they wanted to stay in the Nursing Home Business. That Bloomfield Commission developed a conceptional drawing with Samuels Group and Engberg-Anderson.
In April of 2017 the Nursing Home/Assisted Living Committee established an independent non-profit with enough involvement by Iowa County to collect IGT funds to cover balance of funding not covered by Medicaid. This funding is only available to government run faculties. Plans for construction of a new SNF, (Skilled Nursing Facility) and add a CBRF, (Community Based Residential Facility). The CBRF operations would cover any short funding of the SNF. For this the Cash (Loss)/Profit Comparison of the different options showed a new 60 bed SNF, and a 24 bed CBRF with adjusted payer mix and adjusted staffing having a positive cash flow of $67,766 after four years.
Later another committee, Senior Living 2020 was formed. FYI some of the meetings with Upland Hills Health were closed session because of different operation numbers. Upland Hills Health goal was to provide a continuum of care for residents of Iowa County. Thank You!
In 2021 Iowa County Nursing Home Planning Committee was tasked to build a new facility. The committee suggested to hear from ADRC, SUN, and Bloomfield. ADRC was the only presentation. HeART Coalition asked to share a document from UW School of Nursing to the group through county administrator that did NOT get shared. Bloomfield staff was not included either. WIPFLI presented what four different business models might look like. Bloomfield staff was attending but was never asked an opinion of any kind. Nankee did report on how staffing was being filled. This void in my opinion was because Iowa County Board told Larry Bierke to run the facility for several months.
Story time; I was at Saint Mary's Hospital in Madison in May for a week. With my interactions of nurses, I was aware of Agency coming in and replacing Iowa County staff. Agency financially cost from three to five times more than county employees. One respected Bloomfield nurse filed a claim against Iowa County for wrongful accusations by agency.
I attended the January meeting and there was NO indication of closing the facility, earlier there were two actions to create and fund three positions at Bloomfield.
In my opinion, The Law Enforcement Center and Health and Human Services buildings are an improvement to area economic development. Loss of Bloomfield has told others that care of frail elderly is not important. Fact is in 2011 Bloomfield had an economic impact of $11,694,184. That means that Federal funds come to Bloomfield to purchase supplies locally and support local jobs. It stays here to pay taxes. Bloomfield residents were screened to have a connection to Iowa County, even if just a family member living here. I wonder if other facilities want to subsidize our people? Before 2021 there was an educated and involved Bloomfield Commission. After I left, the only decisions they were allowed to make were large Campbell Funds spending. Smaller amounts of the funds are at the discretion of the County Administrator.
Law Enforcement Center had county staff on the committee, Sheriff and Jail Administrator. There was a representation of the Mental Health Coalition, architect, and builder to answer questions there. Operation questions at Bloomfield were asked of county board members, NOT Bloomfield staff!
Bruce Paull
Ridgeway, WI