Montana nursing homes appealed to Gov. Greg Gianforte that they needed more help because many are teetering on the brink of closure as reimbursement rates fail to cover operational costs and low pay is causing staffing shortages. However, in an open letter back, Gianforte said that relief money has already went to skilled care facilities, and should be used for long-term investments. Meanwhile the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services director said more aid to nursing homes is just “kicking the can down the road.”