Panel says Lake County should hire private firm to run nursing home

An advisory board is recommending a private company should be contracted to run the Lake County-owned Winchester House nursing home in Libertyville.

Lake County government’s skilled nursing facility has a capacity for 360 patients. However, county officials long have cited financial losses and underuse in considering the shutdown of Winchester House and replacing it with a new facility.

County board member Steve Carlson of Gurnee, a veteran of Winchester House issues in his health and community services committee role, said a variety of factors make it necessary for a private company to run the facility.

Unfavorable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement projections, combined with the state now requiring more caregivers per resident, will create more financial problems for the county if it continues to operate Winchester House, he said Friday.

“In my opinion, we will find it difficult to pay people county wages with county benefits,” Carlson added.

Members of the Winchester House Advisory Board issued the recommendation Thursday for the county to seek bids from companies to run the facility. Lake County would continue owning the nursing home.

Carlson said the health and community services committee is expected to pass a resolution to accept the advisory board’s recommendation to seek the bids. The full Lake County Board likely will vote on the issue in July.

Ric Olson, a senior living professional from Vernon Hills who chairs the Winchester House Advisory Board, said privatizing Winchester House’s operations would provide the most sustainable financial model for skilled nursing services.

Olson stressed the county isn’t planning to give up ownership of a senior care facility. He said there is no precise timetable to hire a private firm to run Winchester House, but that it’s a high priority for county officials.

“This is not going to drag,” Olson said.

Should a private company take over running the county nursing home, Carlson said, that would allow for the continued pursuit of a new facility in Libertyville to replace Winchester House. Plans have called for a 175-bed skilled nursing care operation.

Carlson said the goal would be for a private company to hire as many Winchester House county employees as possible.