Assisted living facility files for bankruptcy

PORTALES — The parent company of Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a notice from Moore, Bassan & Behles Attorneys at Law.

The Heartland Healthcare bankruptcy was filed on Dec. 2, according to court documents provided by the Albuquerque law firm, which filed a motion requesting the facility in Portales be allowed to remain in operation using its current funding.

“If the debtor is unable to continue its operations, the residents will be helpless, and the State of New Mexico or the federal government will have to undertake the burden of caring for the residents until alternate arrangements can be made for each one of them,” the motion reads, adding that the facility has enough funding to cover current operating expenses.

According to a statement made in the motion by Joann Isaacson, the administrator of Heartland, the assisted living facility employs 68 people and houses 70 residents.

According to the motion, the facility is delinquent on state taxes, but according to Mary Vallejos with Moore, Bassan & Behles, the facility is indebted to other creditors as well.

Vallejos also confirmed Tuesday that the facility is being allowed to remain in operation for the time being and that another motion will be filed for “continued use of cash collateral,” so the facility can continuing operating with current funding.

Isaacson referred comments to the law firm.