Chairman Dallas Massey Sr. has announced plans to develop a 110-bed long-term care facility in Whiteriver. “There has never been a more opportune time to work with the federal government and the state of Arizona to established along-term care facility for the elderly … Such a facility is long overdue and needs to become a reality.” The tribe estimates approximately 4,700 individuals eligible for Medicaid live on or near the reservation and 113 tribal elders are enrolled for long-term care services. A 30-bed skilled nursing home, an 80-bed assisted living center – the first combined facility on a reservation in the state – and an adult day health care program at six reservation sites are included in the plan which should serve 240 tribal members each day. The $6 million annual budget would be met in reimbursement and revenues from federal health care sources, officials said. The $5.5 million facility should be completed by January 2002. Plans call for financing construction with a Rural Development Corp. loan and a second loan from a private banking institution. The tribe is to receive an $18,355 Rural Development community facility grant this month for a center to serve the Canyon Day community.
