Public Input Needed

There is a lot going on in the world, but Sullivan County residents have a huge local issue to deal with and we need to hear from you. The nursing home complex needs a major renovation. The cost for this project has been escalating, and it is time to make a decision. A dozen people in a room in Newport should not decide this alone. Going forward will create a cost for the next 30 years. If there is any silver lining to COVID, it is that you don’t have to leave your house to participate. There is a public hearing on Monday at 6;30. The sole purpose of calling this meeting is to receive public feedback and answer your questions. We really want to know what you think. You can contact your local State Representative any time. Our contact information can be found at https://www.sullivancountynh.gov/207/Delegation

Please also participate in the hearing.

Background

Sullivan County has the best county nursing home in the state. In addition to  stellar ratings for care and service, it operates at close to a break even point. Hillsborough has a massive facility that turns a slight profit. All other counties subsidize their nursing homes with millions of dollars. We don’t.

Our facilities are very old now, and federal guidelines for facilities have evolved. This matters because it can affect our qualifications for Medicaid income. In the 1960’s, a pretty big project was done to achieve compliance and we are there again. We can pour money into an aging facility that may incur unexpected repair costs, or upgrade to something newer that will last for decades.

Project documents at https://www.sullivancountynh.gov/1220/SCHC-Renovation

Project Problems

The initial proposals were around 25-30 million dollars. We spent 1 million on plans and drawings for the project. As time has gone on, the price tag has now hit almost 50 million dollars. We recently paid more money for a “Guaranteed Maximum Price”, and then learned that this price would not be held for very long. If this project is to go forward, because of bond application deadlines, we need to vote on it next month.

Options

There are several options:

Each of these has a consequence.

Maintain Existing

This will still cost money due to existing needed repairs, and potentially having issues receiving Medicaid funding in the future. The added risk is that with this old a facility, it is difficult to plan future costs. The benefit is that we can wait until COVID is over and see what the economy is like before committing this much money.

Cut Scope to Hit a Set Dollar Amount

We can decide to spend a defined amount of money and make whatever repairs and upgrades are possible. The benefit is that we know the bill and maximum risk. The risk is that that the scope will not cover a major incident/failure in the next few years, and also risks revenue reductions because of lack of federal compliance.

Proceed with Current Design

50 million dollars and a tax increase. The benefit is a better facility, less risk of unplanned repairs, and the potential to increase the “private pay”population. This increase could make the facility revenue positive in the future. We also take care of the federal regulation issue by upgrading to a fully compliant facility.

Build a New Facility

We have the room. This would cost about the same as the current project. I’m not going to lie, just because the estimate today is around 50 million, it is likely to rise through the planning phase. The risk is the huge price tag. The benefit is a new facility and far fewer worries about unplanned repairs and compliance issues. A brand new facility may also attract more private residents. Increasing the ration of private pay vs. Medicaid is how we get to self sustaining, or profitable levels.

Get Out of the Nursing Business

The main benefit is not having the liability if maintaining a huge facility. There will still be a cost in closing down the current facility. The residents will have to be moved elsewhere, the buildings mothballed, severance pay for the few hundred employees, etc. It is cheaper than 50 million, but not free. The nursing home is also our biggest source of revenue. That will go away. We will also be required to pay for our residents who go elsewhere if they are on Medicaid.

 

Today is Sept 11. Today is a good day to thank first responders and emergency personnel. When we run away from danger or burning buildings, they are running the other way. So today, maybe we can set aside the normal priorities of the day and find a veteran, fireman, cop, EMT, etc. to thank. When we were told we were “safe at home” and told to stay there, these folks were ordered in to work. I’m grateful that they do it. I remember that morning and going through the transition from “how did a plane go that far of course?” to “we are under attack”. I remember wondering if family and people that I know in New York were okay and having no way to find out. Most of all, I remember a day where everyday people became heroes as they found ways to help, even in the rubble and even as we watched the towers fall.  On our worst day, we found our greatness and this is among the things that are important to remember and hang on to. I tried to write something better about this, but there really are no adequate words. Never forget. ~ Steve

Governor attributes increase in COVID-19 cases to testing of college students

https://www.wmur.com/article/governor-attributes-increase-in-covid-19-cases-to-testing-of-college-students/33985953

Bus schedules, routes change as children return to class

https://www.wmur.com/article/bus-schedules-routes-change-as-children-return-to-class/33985814

NH reports no virus cases linked to Aug. 28 Trump rally

https://apnews.com/e65a4bed0c5cb2188f5c3360122fb83c

NH sees a COVID-19 uptick of late

https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/coronavirus/nh-sees-a-covid-19-uptick-of-late/article_1444a306-ecd6-5e9e-b782-a2443d0ba6b5.html?block_id=897573

265 University of New Hampshire system students already in quarantine

https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/coronavirus/265-university-of-new-hampshire-system-students-already-in-quarantine/article_a349e6ac-b853-54c9-abfb-77e6a0902e8a.html?block_id=868819

West High School student tests positive for COVID-19

https://www.unionleader.com/news/education/west-high-school-student-tests-positive-for-covid-19/article_a03e2952-f7ee-502f-a41f-3683216c1f37.html?block_id=664693

New Federal $300 Payment- Payments Issued

Payments for the new $300 Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program have been issued! These payments include $300 for each week that you have filed and been found eligible for unemployment benefits and certified you are unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 starting August 1^st through September 5^th. This totals six weeks for which you could potentially be eligible for these $300 payments. Unfortunately, the federal program paying for these benefits has notified states that it does not have any additional funding beyond September 5^th. However, if you are later found to be eligible for any weeks during this time period for which your eligibility for unemployment benefits is currently pending, you will also then receive payment of the $300 for those weeks. Please continue to monitor your correspondence for payment notices and information regarding the LWA program.

How will I know if I am getting a $300 LWA Payment?

If you have been collecting unemployment benefits from August 1^st to September 5^th you should have received either a determination from the department indicating you are eligible for the $300 payments or a notice indicating payments have been issued. Please continue to monitor your correspondence for payment notices and information regarding the LWA program.  If you have questions please call the Hotline at 603-271-7700.

Who is considered eligible for the $300 LWA payments?

In order to qualify for this new benefit you need to be eligible for unemployment benefits from either the state or federal unemployment programs administered by the department during the period starting August 1^st and ending September 5^th. You will also need to have certified you are unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. If you have certified to a COVID-19 related reason on your weekly claim or responded to separate questions issued by the department and you are eligible for at least $1 in base unemployment benefits then you will be eligible for the $300 LWA payment. If you have not certified as to your unemployment being related to the COVID-19 pandemic then you are not eligible for the $300 LWA payment.  If you have questions please call the Hotline at 603-271-7700.

What if I received a Denial for LWA?

First, please make sure to review all of your correspondence from the department. It is quite likely that you received a notice indicating that you were denied but have since received new correspondence from the department indicating you are eligible for the $300 LWA payments based upon additional information received by the department. If you have received a denial notice and have not received a later notice indicating you are eligible for LWA or that the LWA payment has been issued then you are likely not eligible for LWA. Please review the appeals information on your determination. Remember, if your unemployment is not due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 you are not eligible for the $300 LWA payments. Please continue to monitor your correspondence for additional information regarding the LWA program.  If you have questions please call the Hotline at 603-271-7700.

How much is this new LWA benefit?

This new benefit is available through an agreement between the State of New Hampshire and FEMA and is the result of the Presidential Memorandum issued on August 8th. The department is providing $300 per week for each eligible person filing for unemployment benefits starting with the week ending August 1^st through the week ending September 5^th. All payments will be issued by NH Employment Security.

My weekly benefit is less than $100, will I be eligible?

Yes, based upon the emergency order issued by Governor Sununu, the minimum weekly benefit amount has been increased to $100 in order to allow all people filing for unemployment benefits to be eligible for this new $300 LWA payment as long as you are able to certify or have previously certified to being unemployed due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. While the $300 payments have been issued for those people that had a weekly benefit amount less than $100 prior to the Governor’s emergency order, the additional benefit payment to get you from your prior weekly amount to $100 will not be issued until September 17^th. Please continue to monitor your correspondence for payment notices and information regarding the LWA program.

When will the $300 LWA payments be available?

New Hampshire has issued the first and only round of $300 LWA payments covering the week ending August 1^st through the week ending September 5^th. However, if you have been filing for benefits but there is an issue impacting your eligibility for any of these weeks then $300 LWA payments could be issued to you at a later date if and when you are determined eligible for unemployment benefits for any of these weeks. Please continue to monitor your correspondence for payment notices and information regarding the LWA program.  If you have questions please call the Hotline at 603-271-7700.

Do I need to do anything in order to access the new $300 LWA benefit?

This new benefit is available for people eligible for unemployment benefits and able to certify that their unemployment is due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. You do not need to do anything different than how you have accessed unemployment benefits in the past. If you are unemployed or partially unemployed then you simply need to continue to file your weekly claim and respond to any requests for information from the department. Please continue to monitor your correspondence for payment notices and information regarding the LWA program.  If you have questions please call the Hotline at 603-271-7700.

What if I am working part time but not earning too much so that I still receive a weekly benefit?

Nothing has changed regarding eligibility to file for unemployment benefits while you are working part time. You are not eligible for unemployment benefits if you are working full time. This applies equally to self-employed as well. Your work and earnings from your part time employment continue to need to be reported to the department on your weekly claim. The earnings will then be reviewed to determine whether you still qualify for an unemployment benefit for each week. If you are eligible for at least $1 in weekly benefits, then you will also be eligible for the $300 payment for those weeks occurring between week ending August 1^st and week ending September 5^th.   If you have questions please call the Hotline at 603-271-7700.

Positive Tests Jump to 56, but Rate of Infection Remains Low

On Thursday, September 10, 2020, DHHS announced 56 new positive test results for COVID-19.

Fifteen are people under the age of 18.

No new hospitalized cases were identified, and there are currently seven COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state.

There was one fatality reported on Thursday. There have been two COVID-19 deaths since August 28.

Rate Of Positive Tests

A Dozen People Currently Have COVID in Nashua. One of Them is the Mayor.

It was big news when Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess tested positive for COVID-19 this week, but his case is actually yet another data point in the positive story of how New Hampshire is handling the virus.

Mayor Jim Donchess was told last week that an employee he’d met with had been exposed via a family member who tested positive. So the 70-year-old mayor quarantined himself and got tested. His symptoms are so minor that he didn’t know he had the virus– which is the experience of most people who test positive.

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – Sept. 11

On Thursday, September 10, 2020, DHHS announced 56 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 7,573 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are fifteen individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with
49 % being female and 51% being male.

The new cases reside in Rockingham (12), Strafford (10), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (7), Merrimack (5), Grafton (2), and Belknap (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (10) and Nashua (8). The county of residence is being determined for one new case.

Deaths

DHHS has also announced one additional death related to COVID-19. We offer our sympathies to the family and friends.
1 female resident of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older

Cumulative Positive Tests by County

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(data updated as of September 10, 2020, 9:00 AM)

Number of Persons with COVID-19 1	7,573
Recovered	6,867 (91%)
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19	434 (6%)
Total Current COVID-19 Cases	272
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19	719 (9.5%)
Current Hospitalizations	7
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)2	225,659
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody Laboratory Tests2	30,284
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL	43,652
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL3	770
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time)	1,900

Number of Specimens Tested by Date of Report to NH DHHS