S.D. House Republican Leader: Some nursing homes “need to close”
In an interview today with WNAX, South Dakota House Republican Leader Lee Qualm (R- Platte) said that some nursing homes “need to close” because they are “inefficient” and “not doing things quite right.” South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Sam Parkinson release the following statement in response:
“Rep. Qualm’s statements are ridiculous, and I couldn’t disagree with them more. Democrats recognize that any time a long-term care facility closes, it has devastating effects on the residents, their families, and their communities, which is why we supported the Legislature’s 10 percent increase in funding for these facilities in its budget – a much-needed first step in solving the nursing home crisis in our state. But Rep. Qualm’s statements raise a few questions: which nursing homes does he think are inefficient, not doing things right, and need to close? Further, do other Republicans serving in Pierre, including Governor Noem, agree with these statements? The people of South Dakota deserve to know if their representatives believe the long-term care facilities in their communities should close.”
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