ERIE — County governments across Pennsylvania are trying to decide whether to get out of the nursing home business, citing the cost of the facilities and competition from private homes.

At one time, 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties operated nursing homes, but fewer than half — 33 — do now, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

“Some counties ... feel very strongly that the county should be in the nursing home business,” said Michael Wilt, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of County Affiliated Homes. “Others say we can’t afford it, we keep losing money.”

The proposed sale of Northampton County’s 725-bed Gracedale is a hot political issue in eastern Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. County Executive John Stoffa and other officials say the county can no longer operate the Nazareth facility due to an aging building, multimillion-dollar operating losses, increased competition from private homes and expensive wage packages.

Northampton officials hired a law firm to solicit bids for the nursing home from potential buyers. But a citizen petition effort to try to let voters decide the issue in the May primary has prompted a court fight.

Erie County officials are pondering the future of the county’s two nursing homes known as Pleasant Ridge Manor. Council members are considering a $60 million plan to combine the homes into a new facility.

Consultants have said it would cost about $11 million to renovate both existing homes to meet new federal requirements and compete with private nursing homes.