Registration and Continental Breakfast

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Legislative Update

Steve Ford | VHCA-VCAL
Keith Hare | VHCA-VCAL
Scott Johnson | Partner | Hancock Daniel
April Payne | VHCA-VCAL

VHCA-VCAL’s lobbying team and policy experts will deliver brief you on legislation and state budget issues affecting nursing centers and assisted living communities. This session will prepare you to engage confidently and effectively with your members of the General Assembly and provide the insight and context needed to share informed feedback on proposed bills and funding priorities, and to demonstrate how these policy decisions impact the residents, staff, and communities you serve.

Delivering Your Message

Amy Hewett, CAE | VHCA-VCAL

Effective advocacy doesn’t happen by chance. It requires subject matter experts like you to speak up on the legislative and policy issues shaping long term care. In this session, you will be armed with practical advice and guidance on engaging in the legislative process and sharing your perspective as a health care leader as an effective and influential advocate.

Legislator Meetings | Transportation to the General Assembly Building provided.

Visit your delegate and senator in their offices at the General Assembly Building.

• Schedule your appointments before coming to Richmond.
• Transportation to the General Assembly Building will be provided.

Lunch

2026 Virginia Political Outlook

Robert Holsworth, PhD | Managing Principal | DecideSmart

In the wake of the 2025 Virginia elections, Dr. Bob Holsworth will discuss both the immediate outcomes and the broader implications for policy and governance in the Commonwealth. You will learn about key shifts in legislative control and how they align with voter sentiment around cost of living, energy affordability, reproductive rights, and trust in government.

Agency Updates: OLC, DMAS, & DSS

April Dovel | Director | VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) 
Kenya Jeanlouis | LTC Director | VDH OLC 
Tara Ragland | Director, Division of Licensing Program | DSS
Tammy J. Whitlock, MSHA | Deputy Director of Complex Care Services | DMAS

Stay informed with the latest updates from key Virginia agencies shaping the long term care landscape. Leaders from the VDH Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), and the Department of Social Services (DSS) will provide important regulatory and operational updates on actions their agencies are taking that impact nursing centers and assisted living communities.

Break

Medicaid, Reimbursement, and Regulatory Updates

Steve Ford | VHCA-VCAL
April Payne | VHCA-VCAL

VHCA-VCAL’s team is deep in the details of Medicaid policy and regulatory issues of most concern to members. Steve Ford and April Payne will provide the scoop on what Virginia’s LTC providers need to be aware of related to numerous state issues and programs from Medicaid rebasing and VBP to the latest happenings at state regulatory agencies.

VHCA-VCAL Board of Directors’ Meeting

Reception

Invite your legislators to join us for this networking event.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Perspective from Washington DC: 2026 Legislative and Regulatory Outlook

Chris Donnellan | Senior Director, Government Relations | AHCA/NCAL

In 2026, the policy landscape originating in the halls of Congress and federal agencies will include several evolving legislative and regulatory fronts with direct implications for long term care providers. AHCA/NCAL’s Chris Donnellan will offer a forward-looking overview of key developments spanning Medicaid changes, regulatory revisions, and shifting enforcement priorities that providers, administrators, and advocacy partners should monitor.

From Invitation to Impact: How to Host a Legislator at Your Center

Chris Acorn | Administrator | ADA Compliance Liaison | Hampton Health & Rehab
Amy Hewett, CAE | VHCA-VCAL
Natalie Largent, LNHA | Regional Vice President of Operations- North | American HealthCare, LLC
Donna Shaw RN, LNHA | Regional Director of Operations | Marquis Health Consulting Services

If you made a trip to the General Assembly Building, you’ve seen firsthand how hard it can be to get a legislator’s attention during session. Inviting your legislators to your center when they are back in the district is a powerful way to demonstrate the real impact of the quality care you provide and the important role your center plays in the larger community A panel of members will share the essential steps for a successful visit from extending an invitation, preparing staff and residents, coordinating logistics, and delivering clear, impactful messages. Outside of the session is the time to build lasting relationships with legislators who make decisions about the future of health care.

Break

AI: Overview and Legal Landscape

Nathan Mortier | Counsel | Sands Anderson PC
Jason Payne | Technology Expert & AI Thought Leader

Nathan Mortier and Jason Payne will provide a practical overview of AI in healthcare operations, highlighting real-world applications that improve efficiency and care quality while addressing compliance, privacy, and ethical considerations. They will explore the evolving legal landscape covering HIPAA, data governance, FDA oversight of AI-enabled technologies, and risk management strategies to ensure safe and compliant implementation.

By bridging the gap between innovation and regulation, this discussion will help you and your operations teams make informed decisions about integrating AI responsibly, mitigating risk, and optimizing performance across your organization.