BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The decision to permanently close the Weinberg Campus’ Rosa Coplon Living Center in Getzville is up to the New York State Department of Health.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health announced that it had approved the living facility closure plan that the Weinberg Campus submitted in August.

On Friday, state health commissioner Dr. Jim McDonald visited Buffalo to answer some questions about the future of the plant and revealed the financial difficulties experienced by current operators.

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Dr. “My primary concern is the health and safety of the residents of Rosa Coplon,” McDonald said.

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It is planned to be completely closed on November 30. But the health leader hopes to apply for either receivership or new ownership for the centre.

“I am also here to make it clear that this administration agrees on the importance of preserving Rosa Coplon’s nursing home beds over the long term,” McDonald explained.

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The health commissioner said they are willing to work with a qualified applicant who comes forward.

I asked McDonald if he had met with the leader of Lineage Care Group.

“I met Chris from Lineage,” McDonald replied. “However, I don’t think we should assume that they will be the ones to take over. You know, I think the really important thing is that the person we’re looking for actually owns and operates nursing homes. That’s what we’re looking for, someone who owns and operates a nursing home and does it well.”

But McDonald’s also revealed that existing operators are experiencing major financial difficulties.

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“I am deeply concerned about Rosa Coplon’s lack of sound financial management,” McDonald said. “There are some basic things to expect when managing the finances of a healthcare facility. These were missing.”

The health ministry has already provided more than $5 million in financial aid to Rosa Coplon, who has been experiencing financial problems for a decade.

“Recently, the chairman of the board and a majority of the board members resigned after Weinberg said they were unable to pay payroll. Let me say it again, in their darkest hour, the chairman and the majority of the board members resigned.” McDonald’s.

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McDonald also noted that there were three judgments against the care facility.

“Bank accounts were seized. Their accounts were frozen in a decision made against them, one of three decisions made against them this summer. So what we were faced with was the possibility that residents might have done this,” McDonald said. “This is a completely unacceptable risk for these elderly and vulnerable residents of Rosa Coplon.”

The three judgments filed in the state supreme court are for $400,000, $800,000 and $13,000, according to the state health commissioner.

“Not paying your bills is one thing, but it’s hard to have a judgment against you,” McDonald said.

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The health commissioner also confirmed he was there “active complaints” He held talks with the attorney general’s office, stating that an “active investigation” had been launched against the facility and his department.

“We are pleased that the Department of Health is currently evaluating the reinstatement request and the future of the campus is not finalized,” said Grace Bogdanove, vice president of 1199SEIU.

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As the state health department commissioner shows up in Buffalo, union members are also demanding answers for healthcare workers.

“I’m happy they’re interested now. It’s devastating that this has to be necessary to get us a real look at the Weinberg Campus, but more importantly, regency is on the table now, which means we have hope of regaining stability,” Bogdanove said.

The health commissioner promised they would find a new operator but warned it would take time.

“We are committed to finding a new operator if it comes forward,” McDonald said. “This is not something that will be done immediately, but it will be done quickly.”

The difficult process of removing patients from this long-term care facility is currently ongoing. Only 39 customers remained in the facility, which has a capacity of 130 patients.