YANKTON, S.D.(WNAX)- The South Dakota Health Care Association says in the past five years, ten percent of state nursing homes have closed, with the most recent closures this spring in Ipswich, Clear Lake and Lennox.

The legislature this year gave a one time, twenty percent increase in funding to nursing homes.

Governor Kristi Noem says the state has been trying to help for years.

Noem says she has been in contact with the operators of several nursing homes.

Many of the nursing homes depend on Medicaid reimbursements. Noem says that only covers so much.

Finding staff for nursing homes, especially in smaller towns has become a critical problem for many providers.