Savannah Perkins

Head: Foundation moves forward with request for Cache County Council

SM Head: The elderly of Cache County

By Savannah Perkins

The Sunshine Terrace Foundation has drafted plans to present to Cache County Council for approval in order to become a county-run entity. These plans bring more options for funding to the foundation and the services provided.

“The council is open to the idea,” said Greg Merrill, the Cache County Council chairman. “The details will determine whether this joint venture is something we will be involved in or not.”

Officials from the non-profit rehabilitation and assisted living center first approached the council in February in hopes of starting a dialogue. Merrill said conversation has been building up to this and he is looking forward to seeing the plans that the foundation has created.

“We are very vital to the community as we provide care,” said Bryan Erickson, the CEO of The Sunshine Terrace Foundation.

The foundation is currently funded through Medicaid reimbursements as well as funding from Cache County.

Erickson explained the upper payment limit is a federal limit on the reimbursement of Medicaid providers. The change from a private to county-run entity would increase the level of federal funds allowed because it bypasses the upper payment limit. Erickson said this change would give the facility the opportunity to enhance the quality of care provided.

“Under the plans being constructed currently, we would probably reduce or eliminate this funding as it would give The Sunshine Terrace opportunities for other funding that currently they do not qualify for,” Merrill said.

If the county were to have ownership, the current county funds helping support the foundation would be eliminated, benefitting the county’s pocketbook, Merrill said.

Erickson said this would provide opportunities for funding to come from elsewhere, in the end providing more money for the foundation to use in keeping services running smoothly.

The plans stipulate that the county would own the foundation but would not cover any of the daily operations. Erickson said those who work for the foundation would not be considered county employees and a termination clause is being determined.