State Health Dept. points fingers at leadership, financial issues at Weinberg Campus

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Residents are being transferred out of a troubled nursing home in Amherst and, for the very first time, WIVB News 4 is hearing from the state health commissioner on the crisis at the Rosa Coplon Living Center.

State health commissioner Dr. James McDonald toured the Weinberg Campus on Friday and was very clear about who is to blame for the crisis at the Rosa Coplon Living Center. He also says the state health department is investigating quality care concerns at the nursing home.

"Yes, I am putting blame on the Weinberg leadership, when you're a board president and board members, you absolutely have a duty to protect the residents you're entrusted to take care of," McDonald said.

He is pointing the finger at Weinberg Campus leadership who resigned amid the crisis at the Rosa Coplon Living Center. Dr. McDonald says major financial issues have been found at the nursing home like not having a long-term financial plan.

"During their darkest hour, the board president and the majority of the board members resigned the department subsequently approved Weinberg's plan to close Rosa Coplon, again, this was to avoid an emergency transfer of these beautiful people," McDonald said.

The health department also blames Weinberg officials for not going to the state sooner on a plan for receivership -- something the state has been criticized on.

"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.

McDonald says: "The state cannot unilaterally decide to place this facility in receivership. I think it's really important to note, to date, the state has not received a formal application for either receivership or change of ownership for Rosa Coplon."

Workers at Weinberg Campus are still being paid, but union workers say they're working without health care. 39 residents still live here -- down from more than 130 last week. Residents are being taken to other facilities.

"Rosa Coplon's done a very good job of creating an orderly and safe transfer for these residents," McDonald said, adding, "I think this is an attractive place for someone to take over and quite frankly that's why there's interested parties, we'll see if they can come together with a qualified application."

The state health commissioner notes there is no way to quickly approve a receivership plan -- he says these things take time. It's also important to note, the state has given over $5 million in financial support to Weinberg Campus over the past two years.

More coverage of this story

• Residents’ families, employees demand NYS DOH take action as Rosa Coplon nursing home closure looms
• CEO of Weinberg Campus signs off on receivership to Lineage Care Group, approval still needed
• Amherst nursing home to close by end of November