State Pays as Beds Stay Empty in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — There's room for two more people in the ranch-style house with the neatly landscaped yard overlooking Mayberry and Manson Streets.
Only four residents have settled into the west Omaha home since it opened to care for people with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs.
But, for more than 18 months, a contract has required the state to pay as if the home were full. That's $2,296 per day, or $1.3 million since the first person moved in on April 7, 2010.
Under the same contract, the state is required to pay for empty spots in 10 other homes created for people leaving the troubled Beatrice State Developmental Center. The Mayberry home was the first of the 11 to open.
Total payments have run into the millions of dollars.