STEVENS POINT — Fourteen years after she had a stroke and moved into the Portage County Health Care Center, Grace Skibicki says she gets “wonderful” care at the county-owned nursing home, where she enjoys playing Scrabble and listening to polka bands.
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Alva Clymer visits Grace Skibicki at the Portage County Health Care Center in Stevens Point. County officials plan to sell the nursing home, but a citizens group and residents like Skibicki worry about a possible decline in care.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Nancy Roppe, who with husband Joe formed Save the Portage County Health Care Center, said the facility should not be sold to a for-profit company. "The only way they can make a profit is to slash wages and benefits," she said. "The care goes down to one-star, maybe two if you're lucky."
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Portage County Health Care Center has a five-star, or top, rating from the federal government, which advocates say is one of several reasons it should continue to be county-owned.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Alva Clymer, a member of Save the Portage County Health Care Center, said her mother, godmother and stepfather all received good care at the home.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Grace Skibicki, who has lived at the Portage County Health Care Center since 2011, says county officials are "selling us out."
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Alva Clymer, of Custer, an unincorporated community east of Stevens Point, said Portage County should keep its nursing home. "The elders have bankrolled this town," she said. "They deserve dignity when they shut their eyes."
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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Nancy Roppe recalls how her sister died from kidney cancer about 10 years ago after receiving care at the Portage County Health Care Center.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
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