Burlingame Long-Term Care to Stay Open

After slating the center for closure back in February, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement keeping Burlingame Long-Term Care (BLTC) open for three years under the management of a private company.

Effective July 15, Brius, LLC will take over. The company currently operates various California nursing facilities.

“This is a very positive turn of events for the County, for staff, and for our residents,” said San Mateo County Health System Chief Jean Fraser in a statement. “It allows over 230 nursing beds to stay open in our County and over 150 employees being laid off from the County to obtain positions with the new management company.”

Additionally, residents of BLTC can remain at the facility. on the closure, many residents spoke, calling BLTC their home and the other residents and staff their family. Those who have already left will be allowed to return upon the completion of renovations, during which the number of residents will be limited.

Brius will invest $3.5 million in the building once purchased. Brius owner Shlomo Rechnitz said he expects the facility to operate at a heavy financial loss for the first few years.

Many of the staff members working at BLTC who will be laid off by the County will be given the opportunity to remain at the facility as Brius employees.

“Brius has been flexible and very responsive to our employees’ needs,” said Nadia Bledsoe of the AFSCME union. “Mr. Rechnitz’s efforts to retain staff have certainly paid off."

The San Mateo County Health System recommended closing BLTC earlier this year due to concerns over the building’s age and safety and a reduction of state funding.

Brius will operate BLTC under direction of the San Mateo Medical Center during the three-year transitional period. After that time, the facility can operate independently.

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