Operator of 6 state nursing homes seeks bankruptcy

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The operator of six nursing homes in Connecticut has filed for bankruptcy protection to cut costs and eliminate some of its $27 million in debt.

The Hartford Courant reports that Spectrum Healthcare, which employs 725 workers, plans to keep its homes in operation as it reorganizes.

Filing for bankruptcy protection gives the company time to pay bills as it drafts a plan for a better-financed operation.

Spectrum owns nursing homes in Ansonia, Derby, Hartford, Manchester, Torrington and Winsted.

To help reduce nursing home costs, the state allows Medicaid money to pay for home health care services for patients who prefer to remain at home. Spectrum says that's reduced the number of patients.

State officials say 619 of Spectrum's 716 beds were used, or an occupancy rate of 86.5 percent.