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It’s easier for Georgians to get a bed in a nursing home than less-expensive home and community-based services, costing the government big money, according to a follow-up state audit released Friday. (Salzer, 5/8)

The Wyoming Department of Health is taking over temporary management of troubled nursing homes in Rock Springs and Saratoga, state officials announced Friday. Heath Department Director Tom Forslund said the state is assigning managers to both facilities to work with existing staff. He said the state intends to move the 49 residents in Rock Springs and 20 residents in Saratoga to other facilities in an orderly, safe fashion. Forslund said Deseret Health Group of Bountiful, Utah, gave the state notice within the last week that it intended to close both facilities. He said he found the closure plans inadequate, which raised concerns about residents' care and the company's ability to pay its employees. "The rules call for a 60-day notice for voluntary closure of nursing homes, but the company's financial instability has made it clear this is not a normal situation and the company cannot meet its obligations to these residents," Forslund said. (Neary, 5/8)

Nebraska officials said they have taken action to protect residents of two nursing homes run by an ailing Utah company. Both homes are owned by Deseret Health Group, headquartered in Bountiful, Utah. Peterson's office said Deseret Health had told Nebraska officials that it was ceasing operation of the nursing homes. Health and Human Services said it determined that the state needed to take control of the homes to protect the health and welfare of the residents because Deseret Health has been unable to pay staff. Peterson's office said Ainsworth Care Center has 24 residents and the Logan Valley Manor has 12. (5/8)