© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
What’s Next?

The Nursing Home Funding Crisis

Published March 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM EST
Ways To Subscribe
Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 329" in white text. then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "The Nursing Home Funding Crisis", then photos of Sebrina Barrett, Lisa Haglund, and Hadley Horrigan with their names underneath.

Western New York has lost eight not-for-profit nursing homes since 2014, with providers citing chronic Medicaid underfunding and daily losses of up to $150 per resident. As lawmakers debate the New York State budget, advocates are pushing for $750 million to stabilize nursing homes and prevent more closures. Sebrina Barrett of LeadingAge New York, Hadley Horrigan of Catholic Health, and Lisa Haglund of Heritage Ministries join What’s Next? for a conversation about funding, access to care, and what it means for families across the region.

What's Next? 2026
Stay Connected
Latest Episodes
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 352" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care?", then a photo of Molly Carr and Katie Diebold with their names underneath.
    How Is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care?
    On this episode of What’s Next?, we explore the Adult Critical Time Intervention (CTI) program and how it works to reduce homelessness, prevent rehospitalization, and connect individuals with essential services including housing, transportation, nutrition, and behavioral health treatment.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART III: WHAT HAS CHANGED?
    Where the Money Go? Part III: What Has Changed?
    In the final installment of What’s Next?’s three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, the focus shifts from promises to outcomes.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART II: WHERE DID (OR DIDN'T) IT GO?"
    Where Did the Money Go? Part 2: Where Did (Or Didn’t) It Go?
    (CORRECTION) Part two of What’s Next?’s three-part anniversary series examining the aftermath of the May 14 Tops mass shooting focuses on the distribution and impact of millions of dollars raised to support Buffalo’s East Side.
  • Red and black image with text reading "What's Next? Anniversary Special: WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? $92,896,293.56 PART I: HOW CAN WE HELP?"
    Where Did the Money Go? Part 1: How Can We Help?
    In part one of a three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, What’s Next? examines the nearly 100 million dollars pledged to support Buffalo’s East Side and the families impacted by the tragedy.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 348" in white text. Then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Misconceptions Do People Have About Hospice Care", then a photo of Kelley Clem with her name underneath.
    What Misconceptions Do People Have About Hospice Care
    On this episode of What’s Next?, Kelley Clem of Hospice Buffalo and Palliative Care Buffalo explains the differences between the two forms of care and why early intervention can improve quality of life for patients living with chronic illness.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 347" in white text. then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "What Is Being Done to Address Literacy Challenges in Western New York", then a photo of Anne Ryan with her name underneath.
    What Is Being Done to Address Literacy Challenges in Western New York
    On this episode of What’s Next?, Anne Ryan, Executive Director of Read to Succeed Buffalo, discusses the importance of teaching reading from birth through third grade and the impact of programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
  • What Does Accountability Look Like Four Years After May 14
    As Buffalo approaches the fourth anniversary of the May 14 Tops mass shooting, this episode of What’s Next? centers on reflection, accountability, and community dialogue.
  • What Does Truth Be Told Reveal About Race and Inequality in Western New York
    In this special episode of What’s Next?, we revisit powerful conversations from Truth Be Told, Buffalo Toronto Public Media’s 12-part podcast series hosted by Wil Green exploring the lasting effects of systemic racism across Western New York.
  • What Does the Future of Local Farming Look Like in Western New York
    On this episode of What’s Next?, Executive Director Kristen Heltman-Weiss and Deputy Director Hamadi Ali.
  • Red background with a thick black stripe in the middle. In the top corner is "EPISODE 343" in white text. then, centered from top to bottom, is: What's Next? logo, "How Regina Barber Connects Science, Race, and Storytelling", then a photo of Regina Barber with her name underneath.
    How Regina Barber Connects Science, Race, and Storytelling
    Today on What’s Next?, we speak with Regina Barber, physicist and host of NPR’s Short Wave. Barber shares how her upbringing in a racially divided community and her love of Star Trek helped shape her path into science. The conversation also explores the ongoing challenges and progress around racial equity.