Lamont McClure announces that he has vetoed Bill No. 826, entitled “AN ORDINANCE ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS SEEKING BIDDERS TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL STUDY OF GRACEDALE NURSING HOME.”

Statement of Lamont McClure on the Return of Vetoed Ordinance

Gracedale Nursing Home is the most regulated of all of Northampton County’s departments, subjected to constant inspections and audits. There is no reason to assume that an operational study will turn up any deficiencies which haven’t already been investigated and addressed.

Gracedale’s rating on overall health quality from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently rose from one (1) star to (3) stars which included a four (4) star rating for the Health Inspection.

In May 2022, County Council passed Resolution No. 70-2022 and Resolution No. 71-2022, collectively known as “Saving Gracedale Again.” These resolutions allocated $15 million in ARP funds for retention bonuses, staff recruitment bonuses, Agency nursing costs, making capital improvements to the facility as well as construction of an on-site daycare center. Before moving ahead with an expensive study, Council should allow some time to see how these incentives improve operations at Gracedale. 

Article 602 subsection (g)(2) of the Northampton County Home Rule Charter, authorizes and empowers the County Executive to veto any ordinance within ten (10) days of its adoption by the Northampton County Council. County Council approved this Ordinance on September 15, 2022.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

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