By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The Saline County Home Health program will not be removed from the 2027 budget.
Original: Saline County Home Health program's future discussed during 2027 budget process
As announced by the Chair of the Commission, Annie Grevas, said on Tuesday morning that before the start of the public meeting, a 30-minute study session took place, and a consensus was reached not to remove the program from next year's budget.
A round of applause from members of the public followed after her statement.
Grevas thanked the public for showing up and others still spoke during the citizens forum.
The 2027 budget process is still ongoing. Therefore, funding for any resources has not yet been finalized.
Since 1966, the program has provided home health care services to people of all ages and has received support from grants, government funding, and taxpayer dollars.
A key component of the home health program is the primary nursing care model. This model means that a single nurse is identified as the point of contact and supervises all other disciplines during the episode of care.
The program values the relationship between the patient and caregiver.
Moreover, a registered nurse is on call 24/7.
The county's home health program also accepts insurance such as:
- Medicare.
- Medicaid.
- Grant programs through the Area Agency on Aging (link to ncfhaaa.com)
- VA Optum (Veterans).
- Home Community-Based Services (HCBS).
- Private insurance like Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and other commercial plans.
- Private pay.
The current staffing with the program is as follows:
- Coordinator (RN): 1
- LPN: 2
- Aide: 3
- Homemaker: 1
- Biller: 1
- Coder: 1
- Vacant RN/LPN: 2 (have been vacant for the last year, with no applicants as well).
The program's patient census is 55 and mixed by payer type that includes:
- Medicaid: 17
- Medicare: 18
- VA: 3
- AAA: 5
- Private: 10
The number of patients who have been with them for more than 2 years is 24. The longest duration is 26 years since 2000.
There were 8 new patient referrals that were not accepted during the month of July due to future uncertainty.
Budget as of July 31, 2026 (in whole numbers):
- Revenue: $222,776 (46.19% of projected $482,347 budgeted)
- Expense: $439,890 (49% of projected $897,347 budgeted)
- Difference: -$217,104
Saline County Home Health has been Medicare certified for 60 years. The challenges with staffing stem from their limited ability to recruit or retain nursing staff, as being County employees does not allow them to use staff pay models like the private sector. The program has two staff members who are pursuing higher education that could allow them to step up into different positions.