60 Seconds with Steve Monroe and Ben Swett
60 Seconds is a weekly video series hosted by The SeniorCare Investor’s Steve Monroe and Ben Swett. It covers the biggest news of the week, the latest M&A trends, market statistics or other analysis at the top of their minds in the seniors housing and care industry. Any suggestions on future topics, thoughts on recent videos, or inquiries into sponsorship opportunities can be sent to editorial@levinassociates.com.
November 18, 2025 – 60 Seconds with Steve Monroe: You’ve Got To Be Kidding!
Trump’s pardon of Joseph Schwartz, the former Skyline Health owner who committed nearly $40 million in fraud and endangered thousands of nursing home residents, has sparked outrage. Critics argue he kept stolen money and escaped accountability, joining other senior-care executives previously pardoned. The decision raises concerns about ethics, the industry’s reputation, and why more people aren’t publicly condemning the move.
Transcript
Sadly, we are not kidding. President Trump has shown his true colors, and his true loyalty to the almighty dollar, with yet another pardon of one of the bad boys of senior care. But this bad boy is the worst of the group.
We are referring to the just announced pardon of criminal Joseph Schwartz, the former owner of Skyline Health. Several months ago, after his last senior care pardon, we ended a story with, who’s next, Joseph Schwartz? We were kidding, but not laughing now. Not only did he commit a nearly $40 million fraud against us, the taxpayers, but he also put the well-being of several thousand patients in his nursing homes in jeopardy as he sucked as much cash out of them as he could and did not pay his bills.
He should have rotted in prison for the rest of his life, where at least he had access to food and medicine. We wish we could say the same for his former nursing home patients when he walked away with empty cabinets and handed over the keys. And by the way, where is the financial restitution? He just gets to keep all the money he stole?
So now we have pardons for Jon Harder, Philip Esformes, Paul Walczak and Schwartz by Trump. Too bad character no longer seems to matter.
Is there anyone who thinks this is good for the senior care industry? Is there anyone who wonders why we sometimes get a bad rap? Is there anyone writing the White House and asking it to stop this insanity, please? This just makes me sick.
And, why do I not hear others publicly saying what I am saying? What are you afraid of?
Record M&A Year, Again
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October Smashes M&A Record
October shattered M&A records with 110+ deals — a 43% jump over the previous monthly high of 77. Nearly 100 buyers participated, led by Welltower, whose $4B in U.S. acquisitions may be even higher once full details emerge. Strong liquidity, improving operations, and limited new development are fueling this record-setting seniors housing deal surge to year-end.
Previewing Our Capital Markets Conversation
With capital markets improving, questions arise about how lenders, buyers, and sellers are adapting in senior care. Our Oct. 23 Investor Call, sponsored by Newpoint Real Estate Capital, will explore refinancing terms, deal opportunities, and 2026 growth strategies. Don’t miss it!