Butler County Commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton have stated nothing will change with the privatization of Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Private nursing homes are in the business for profit In order for Sunnyview to be profitable, the $1 million deficit must be eliminated. There are only two ways for Sunnyview to be profitable: increase revenues and cut operating costs.

Once Sunnyview is sold, the commissioners will have no say in its operation. The buyer could refuse or limit the number of Medicare and Medicaid patients accepted into the facility.

Those who currently reside at Sunnyview should not fear that they will lose their homes. However, future patients on Medicare and Medicaid have no guarantee there will be a place for them at Sunnyview.

Prediction: McCarrier and Pinkerton will sell Sunnyview, take the proceeds to build the new office building; the cost of the building will exceed the estimated cost of $12.2 million, requiring financing — remember, the new prison’s estimated cost was $30 million; final cost was $43 million. Sunnyview will be gone and taxpayers will be left to pay for the cost overrun.