When the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) updated its online directory of licensed nursing homes earlier this year, it removed a key piece of information: the name of each facility’s owner and the type of ownership—whether a for‑profit corporation, nonprofit, or government‑run entity. The change has sparked concern among seniors’ advocates who argue that transparency is essential for families making critical care decisions.
Advocates demand the data be reinstated
Small Town and Rural Seniors (STARS), a statewide advocacy group for older adults, sent a formal letter to DHS in August requesting that the ownership column be restored. “Anyone looking at a nursing home for their loved one needs to know who owns it and what kind of company it is,” said Judy Brey, a retired teacher and STARS organizer from Reedsburg.
Brey has been actively involved in a legal challenge against the sale of Sauk County’s nursing home. Although the county board voted to sell the facility in 2024, officials initially refused to disclose the buyer’s identity. Brey and other residents later uncovered the purchaser—Aria Health—by reviewing DHS records. The missing ownership data, she says, also prevented families from identifying other Wisconsin homes operated by Aria and checking their quality‑of‑care ratings.
Why ownership information matters
Wisconsin has a relatively high number of county‑owned nursing homes, and many families view these facilities as offering higher standards of care compared with privately run homes. Knowing who owns a facility helps consumers assess potential risks, especially as private corporations with mixed track records seek to acquire county properties amid financial pressures and staffing shortages.
STARS argues that without ownership data, residents lose a vital tool for evaluating the stability and quality of a nursing home. “This is Wisconsin data that should be in the state database for people to look at,” Brey said. “With what’s happening at the federal level, we don’t trust that they’ll keep this information available for long.”
DHS response and alternative sources
Jessica Radtke, director of the Bureau of Nursing Home Care at DHS, explained that the agency recently transitioned to a new data system that does not include ownership fields, which led to the omission. She noted that ownership details remain publicly accessible through Medicare’s online Cost Compare tool.
While the Cost Compare site does provide some ownership information, advocates contend that it is less user‑friendly than the DHS directory, which previously allowed quick cross‑referencing of facilities and their quality ratings.
Broader context of nursing‑home privatization
Across Wisconsin, several counties have explored privatizing or selling their nursing homes in recent years, citing budget constraints and difficulties recruiting staff. Proponents of privatization argue that private operators can bring efficiency and capital investment, while critics warn that profit‑driven models may cut corners on staffing and resident services.
The removal of ownership data from the state directory adds another layer to this debate, limiting public oversight of which companies are expanding their foothold in the state’s long‑term care sector.
What families can do now
Until DHS restores the ownership column, families are encouraged to use Medicare’s Cost Compare tool, contact facilities directly, and consult independent rating agencies such as Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website. Local advocacy groups like STARS continue to press state officials for greater transparency and to ensure that families retain the information needed to make informed choices about senior care.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
