What’s happening: DMAS has officially posted the nursing facility Medicaid rates for each provider effective July 1, 2024. In the aggregate, the new operating rates...
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What to know: A June 5 DSS memo advises assisted living facilities (ALFs) on three legislative measures passed in the 2024 General Assembly session affecting them. The highlighted...
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Good news: The budget approved by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Youngkin on May 13 includes $81.6 million in Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing (VBP)...
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What’s new: Gov. Glenn Youngkin and General Assembly leaders announced that they would work on a compromise budget during yesterday’s reconvened session. Legislators and the...
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What’s happening: The General Assembly will meet on April 17 to act on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s budget amendment that would cut in half the Medicaid...
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Take a minute to send a message to Gov. Glenn Youngkin to ask him to leave intact funding for the Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program...
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The General Assembly passed a budget with an additional $81.6 million ($40.8 million each year) in new Medicaid nursing facility Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program funding...
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[caption id="attachment_190255" align="alignright" width="371"] Keith Hare and William Coleman meet with Del. Betsy Carr (D-Richmond).[/caption] What’s happening: The 2024 General Assembly session is scheduled to...
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What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL-backed bills on the LTSS Screening process and to create an educational and licensure pathway for medication aides in certified nursing facilities have...
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This week at the General Assembly, budget conferees were announced. These legislators will negotiate the differences between the House and Senate budgets. VHCA-VCAL lobbyists and...
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What’s happening: This week the General Assembly turned its attention to work on the budget bills for state fiscal years (SFY) 2025-26. The budgets developed...
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What’s happening: General Assembly committees have dispatched some bills of concern to VHCA-VCAL as legislators move closer to the mid-point of the 2024 session. Legislation...
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What’s happening: General Assembly committees continue to work through long agendas to hold hearings on legislation. VHCA-VCAL’s priority bills on LTSS Screenings and medication aides...
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This week at the General Assembly session, committees were busy hearing legislation as the bill filing deadline passed last week. VHCA-VCAL’s priority bills on LTSS Screening...
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[caption id="attachment_188175" align="alignright" width="600"] April Payne explains the LTSS Screening process alongside VHCA-VCAL lobbyist Scott Johnson (left) and bill patron Del. Mike Cherry (R-Colonial Heights,...
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What’s happening: A week into the 2024 General Assembly session, legislators have introduced nearly 2,200 bills and resolutions. VHCA-VCAL is still assessing the impact of...
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VHCA-VCAL’s focus during the 2024 General Assembly session will be securing support for Medicaid rate reforms, an increase in the Auxiliary Grant rate, as well...
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What’s happening: As part of our pre-General Assembly session advocacy campaign, we are building awareness of the need for continued investments in the Medicaid program...
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Historic turnover is the hallmark of the 2023 elections, which were shaped by nonpartisan redistricting and a slew of retirements by longtime legislators. Seventeen new...
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The General Assembly met Wednesday for a one-day session to finalize changes to the current state fiscal year budget. The approved budget sustained the $25...
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What’s happening: July 1 marks the usual effective date of legislation and the budget passed during the year’s General Assembly session. While budget negotiations have...
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What to know: A May 11 DSS memo advises ALFs on legislation passed in the 2023 General Assembly session affecting them. The memo reviews three bills covering...
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What’s new: Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the VHCA-VCAL backed bills on nursing facility minimum staffing standards and LTSS Screening. Members of the General Assembly will...
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What’s happening: The General Assembly passed a stopgap budget on Saturday addressing technical amendments, an education funding fix, funding state reserves and capital projects. A key sticking point is...
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[caption id="attachment_170270" align="alignright" width="600"] A view of the Virginia State Capitol Buiding.[/caption] This week is the last scheduled week of the 46-day regular session. Legislators...
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Earlier this week the Senate of Virginia unanimously passed HB 1446, VHCA-VCAL’s nursing facility staffing bill. The measure now heads to Gov. Glenn Youngkin for...
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What’s happening: The General Assembly’s budget negotiators are determining final funding amounts for the Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program and proposed Medicaid rate reforms proposed by...
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[caption id="attachment_170270" align="alignright" width="600"] A view of the Virginia State Capitol Buiding.[/caption] What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL has been closely tracking and lobbying on bills that impact...
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February 7 marked crossover, the midpoint of the 2023 General Assembly session and the deadline by which the House and Senate had to act on...
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Coming up: On Sunday, February 5, the House and Senate budget-writing committees will release their proposals to amend the budget for the state fiscal years...
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What’s happening: The House of Delegates voted 98-2 to pass HB 1446, VHCA-VCAL’s staffing bill. SB 1339, the companion bill, was unanimously endorsed by the...
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This week General Assembly Committees tackled long dockets to hear bills before the coming crossover deadline next Tuesday, February 7. VHCA-VCAL’s priority bills on minimum...
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This week at the General Assembly session, committees were busy hearing legislation as the bill filing deadline passed last week. VHCA-VCAL’s priority bills on nursing...
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What’s happening: VHCA-VCAL’s staffing bill, HB 1446 was unanimously endorsed by the House Appropriations Committee, setting up the bill for a vote by the entire...
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[caption id="attachment_170010" align="alignright" width="600"] VHCA-VCAL Chairman Derrick Kendall testifies before HWI in support of HB 1446. [/caption] What’s happening: On January 17 the House, Health,...
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One week into the 2023 General Assembly session, VHCA-VCAL is closely monitoring numerous bills affecting nursing facilities and assisted living facilities (ALFs). To-date, over 1,950...
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What’s happening: A week into the 2023 General Assembly session, legislators have introduced over 1,900 bills and resolutions. VHCA-VCAL is closely tracking measures affecting assisted...
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VHCA-VCAL’s focus during the 2023 General Assembly session will be securing support for Medicaid funding and advocating for our nursing facility staffing and LTSS Screening...
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The 2023 General Assembly session kicked off this week. We are in the midst of reviewing bills and meeting with legislators on our priority issues....
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Minimum staffing legislation for nursing facilities has been introduced by Chairman of the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee Bobby Orrock (R-Caroline). The legislation, HB 1446,...
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What’s new: The Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC), a General Assembly standing commission, is examining the affordability of assisted living facilities, with a focus...
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During the 2022 General Assembly session VHCA-VCAL’s advocacy work largely focused on Medicaid funding and workforce issues. VHCA-VCAL also tracked bills taking effect on July...
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A June 23 DSS memo advises assisted living facilities (ALF) on legislation passed in the 2022 General Assembly session affecting them. Of particular note, requirements...
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The General Assembly returned to Richmond on June 1 to vote on the final budget for the next two fiscal years (FY2023 and FY2024). The...
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Gov. Glenn Youngkin has called for legislators to return to Richmond on April 4 for a special session to finalize the budget and work on...
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The General Assembly’s budget negotiators have not finalized their work on the two-year state budget as they debate the amount of revenue to be spent....
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The House of Delegates and Virginia Senate have appointed their conferees to negotiate the differences between their budget proposals for the next two years. VHCA-VCAL...
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The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee have released their respective budget proposals. Today the House and Senate will take the...
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The Richmond Times Dispatch wrote about a pilot program to fill health care professional jobs and spoke with VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare about...
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Tuesday of this week marked crossover, the midpoint of the 2022 General Assembly session and the deadline by which the House and Senate had to...
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Contact your legislators today and ask them to implement Medicaid rate reforms to provide better cost coverage of the current costs of nursing-level care. We...
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This week marks crossover, the midpoint of the 2022 General Assembly session and the deadline by which the House and Senate must act on bills...
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[caption id="attachment_155852" align="alignright" width="400"] Melissa Green, Trio Healthcare, LLC and Amy Hewett, VHCA-VCAL[/caption] Skilled Nursing News spoke with Melissa Green, chief clinical officer of Trio...
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Following a hearing on the two House staffing bills, HB 330, HB 646, subcommittee #3 of the House Health, Welfare, and Institutions (HWI) Committee voted by...
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VHCA-VCAL issued a press release and shared information with key legislators showing that December 2021 data (latest data available) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics...
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Eight of the 14 members of the Senate Education and Health Committee voted against the nursing facility staffing mandate bill SB 406 on a motion...
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In an interview with WRIC, the Richmond-area ABC affiliate, VHCA-VCAL discussed the association’s opposition to staffing mandate legislation. “We know the workforce isn’t there to...
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The House nursing facility staffing mandate bills, HB 330, HB 646, have been referred to the Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee’s subcommittee #3. That subcommittee...
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One week into the 2022 General Assembly session, VHCA-VCAL is closely monitoring numerous bills affecting nursing facilities assisted living facilities (ALFs). To-date, 2,145 bills have...
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We have developed a “Contact Your Legislators” Social Media Toolkit with graphics and sample posts you can use to help garner more messages to members...
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One week into the 2022 General Assembly session, VHCA-VCAL is closely monitoring numerous bills affecting assisted living facilities (ALFs). Among them are bills addressing involuntary...
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Legislators have introduced bills to mandate an acuity-based staffing standard derived from CMS expected direct care hours for nursing homes. Other staffing mandate bills would...
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The 2022 General Assembly session kicked off on January 12 and will run for 60 days. Legislators will be meeting in-person unlike the virtual session...
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The schedule of events for the 2022 Legislative Conference is now online. It includes a great line up of speakers and the annual opportunity for...
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Virginia House of Delegates Speaker-designee Todd Gilbert announced the chairs of six House standing committees, including the Health Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee, which hears...
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In an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the Joint Commission on Health Care’s endorsement of a staffing ratio, VHCA-VCAL President and CEO explained the...
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In its final meeting of 2021, the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) endorsed numerous policy options to address nursing home workforce issues. One policy...
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After votes were tabulated from Tuesday’s elections, Republicans won all three constitutional offices and regained the majority in the House of Delegates by defending all...
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Deborah Petrine, chairman and CEO of CCR, offered public comments on behalf of VHCA-VCAL at an October 28 Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) nursing...
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On October 5 the Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) staff presented a series of policy recommendations to General Assembly members on how to...
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Virginia legislators adopted a $3.4 billion spending plan earlier this week to allocate the Commonwealth’s American Rescue Plan Funds. The budget agreement, which awaits action...
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The General Assembly convened its second Special Session of the year on August 2. Legislators are meeting to allocate Virginia’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)...
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Hancock Daniel has issued a client advisory discussing the new Virginia Overtime Wage Act (VOWA) which went into effect on July 1, 2021 and significantly...
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New laws and updated Medicaid rates take effect on July 1, the start of Virginia’s state fiscal year (SFY). The budget passed by the General...
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On July 1, 2021, Virginia will become the seventeenth state to legalize recreational cannabis. The changes have implications for assisted living facilities, which are included...
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On June 8 Virginia voters finalized their nominees for the Democratic candidates for the statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. There were...
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On July 1, 2021, Virginia will become the seventeenth state to legalize recreational cannabis. The issues surrounding cannabis use are complex, especially in the health...
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The General Assembly met on Wednesday for its reconvened session to consider Gov. Ralph Northam’s action on bills and the budget passed during the recently...
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As the General Assembly concluded the 2021 session earlier this week, we are pleased to report positive results related to VHCA-VCAL’s key priorities. Throughout the...
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Budget negotiators are close to finalizing their work on the budget package for consideration by the House and Senate later this weekend. We will share...
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Key leaders of the Virginia’s budget-writing committees have begun negotiations on the state budget, including Medicaid funding for nursing facilities. We need your help in...
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This week the General Assembly started a special session to finish its legislative work. On Wednesday, the House and Senate money committees released their budgets....
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Check out the social media toolkit with sample posts and graphics to help promote our General Assembly Medicaid priorities. Working together we can amplify these...
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Friday marks crossover the deadline by which the House and Senate had to act on bills that originated in their respective chambers. On Sunday, the...
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On January 27 the Health and Human Resources subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee voted 4-2 to table HB 2156, the staffing ratio bill introduced...
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Committees continue to consider legislation as the General Assembly nears completion of its third week of session. Committees must act on bills that originated in...
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This Friday marks the bill filing deadline for the 2021 session. VHCA-VCAL is tracking dozens of bills—some related directly to long term care (LTC) and...
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The Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee voted unanimously to report and rerefer HB 2156, the nursing facility staffing ratio bill to the House Appropriations Committee...
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Sen. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach) has introduced a bill, SB 1149, to mandate staffing ratios in nursing homes, along with additional training requirements, and background...
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The 2021 General Assembly session kicked off January 13. Like the special session held last summer, the General Assembly is meeting virtually. VHCA-VCAL’s advocacy work...
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On December 16 Gov. Ralph Northam presented his proposed amendments to the state’s biennial budget. In terms of direct impacts on nursing facilities, the proposed...
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The General Assembly concluded its special session earlier this week by considering Gov. Ralph Northam’s budget amendments. All of the long term care related funding...
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As we informed you last week, General Assembly leaders agreed that supporting our seniors in long term care communities should be a priority during the...
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Gov. Ralph Northam has signed legislation establishing liability protections for assisted living facilities and other providers during Virginia’s COVID-19 state of emergency. HB 5059 and...
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Gov. Ralph Northam has signed legislation establishing liability protections for assisted living facilities and other providers during Virginia’s COVID-19 state of emergency. HB 5059 and...
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On October 14, the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia budget conferees released their compromise amendments to the current biennial budget. The compromise addresses...
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The House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia budget committees released their respective amendments to the current biennial budget, which included continued funding for the...
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Senate leaders announced midweek they will no longer consider bills originating in the Senate and instead turn their attention to the budget and House bills....
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While there is continued uncertainty about how long the special session will last, the General Assembly continues to advance bills affecting long term care providers....
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Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax) introduced a budget amendment for the $20 per day Medicaid add-on for nursing facilities...
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Legislators continue to introduce bills for consideration in the 2020 special session. Topics affecting long term care provider include visitation, prioritization for testing, immunity protections...
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Legislators kicked off the 2020 General Assembly special session on August 18 in Richmond. With a mix of in-person and virtual meetings, legislators will be...
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DSS issued a memo related to new legislation that took effect July 1 related to individual service plans (ISP), possession of cannabidiol or THC-A in...
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New laws passed during the 2020 General Assembly session take effect July 1. Numerous measures like the bills related to the Long Term Services and...
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The General Assembly met on Wednesday for its annual reconvened session to consider Gov. Ralph Northam’s action on bills and the budget passed during the...
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This afternoon the General Assembly approved the budget conference report. In the budget nursing facility Medicaid rates (relative to the very negative rebasing) will be...
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This week VHCA-VCAL requested that Gov. Ralph Northam sign SB 686, the bill to require only documentation in individual service plans (ISPs) of “significant change”...
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Although the General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn on Saturday, March 7, budget conferees have yet to finalize their negotiations on key issues and provide...
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McKnight’s Long-Term Care News reported on the progress of SB 185, the bill that helps to clarify the role nursing facility and assisted living facility...
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President and CEO Keith Hare wrote to Gov. Ralph Northam this week asking him to sign HB 902/SB 902, the legislation to improve the Long...
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Twelve senior legislators have been appointed to work out the differences between the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia budget proposals. Today VHCA-VCAL communicated...
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Budget packages released on February 16 by the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia fully fund the Medicaid forecast and provide additional Medicaid...
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This Tuesday marked crossover, the deadline by which the House and Senate had to act on bills that originated in their respective chambers. It is...
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The Washington Post recently published an opinion piece from MFA President and CEO William Fralin in which he outlines the importance of Virginia’s Right-to-Work statute...
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Get the latest information on the LTSS Screening bills, staffing ratios, and the proposals to raise the minimum wage. LTSS Screening – VHCA-VCAL’s bills to...
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This week numerous bills affecting nursing centers and assisted living facilities were heard in committee including the preadmission screening bill, a staffing ratio bill, and...
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Update on Minimum Wage and Right-to-Work Bills VHCA-VCAL has modeled the aggregate impact minimum wage increases would have on nursing facilities in light of various...
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VHCA-VCAL’s bill, HB 902, which would provide an improved and more efficient process for screening patients who have been discharged from the hospital for short-stay...
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While it is still far from final passage, the Health subcommittee of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee unanimously passed a bill to mandate...
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In a recent opinion piece in The Roanoke Times, Chairman of Medical Facilities of America Heywood Fralin argued against efforts to repeal or amend Virginia’s...
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Today marks the tenth day of the 60-day 2020 General Assembly session and the deadline by which legislators must introduce all bills. As of this...
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Make your plans now to attend the Legislative Conference at the Omni Richmond Hotel on February 4-5. Book your room online now! Check out the full agenda offering 7.75...
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Democrats will lead both the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate following the 2019 elections. The House is divided 55 Democrats to 45 Republicans....
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The General Assembly has begun another legislative session as of January 8. Legislators are scheduled to meet for 60 days this year. Much of their...
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Democrats have won a majority in the House of Delegates and a two seat majority in the Virginia Senate. This shift in party power following...
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McKnight’s Senior Living asked VHCA-VCAL for comment on the impact of medical cannabis legislation passed during the 2019 General Assembly session on assisted living providers....
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The General Assembly adjourned on February 24, one day later than it was scheduled to, after reaching agreement on the budget. VHCA-VCAL is pleased to...
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The General Assembly is likely to miss its target adjournment date of February 23 as budget negotiators continue their work on the budget. Medicaid funding...
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The General Assembly has taken a look at numerous bills this session that would have affected assisted living operations. In our weekly bill wrap up...
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Legislators have one week left until the scheduled adjournment of the 2019 General Assembly session. VHCA-VCAL’s priority bills are headed to the governor’s office for...
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VHCA-VCAL’s priority bills are on track for passage in the House and Senate after being favorably addressed in their originating chamber. Truth in Advertising SB...
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Budget packages released by the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate on February 3 include positive news for long term care providers. While there are...
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The General Assembly hits "crossover" on Tuesday, February 5. That’s the deadline by which the House and Senate must act on bills that originated in their...
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VHCA-VCAL bills received favorable votes in committee this week, including truth in advertising, emergency evacuation of nursing homes, and assisted living facility generator testing. We...
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Today marks the tenth day of the 45-day 2019 General Assembly session and the deadline by which legislators must introduce all bills. Committees have been...
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VHCA-VCAL is intensely focused on two pieces of legislation related to emergency preparedness planning and generators for assisted living facilities (ALFs). One would establish a...
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Make your plans now to attend the Legislative Conference at the Omni Richmond Hotel. Book your room online now! Check out the full agenda offering...
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The Virginia General Assembly kicked off its 2019 legislative session on January 9. Legislators are scheduled to meet for 45 days this year. VHCA-VCAL’s priorities...
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As Virginia begins a new fiscal year (FY) on July 1, new Medicaid reimbursement rates for dates of service on or after July 1 will...
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The Virginia Senate has opted to wait another week before acting on the state budget. It appeared earlier this week that the Senate might take...
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The Virginia Senate has opted to wait until May 14 to continue its work on the state budget. Senators have signaled that they would like...
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The General Assembly returned to Richmond this week to work on the state budget. It remains unclear how legislators will reach a conclusion on the...
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Since Gov. Ralph Northam signed HB 879 into law on March 23, 2018 surveyors from the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) can again conduct...
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As the starting point for the April 11 special session on the state budget, Gov. Ralph Northam introduced the same budget proposed in December by...
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Gov. Ralph Northam issued a proclamation this week ordering the General Assembly back to Richmond on April 11 to work on the state budget. Legislators...
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A proposed bill that would have been detrimental to how organizations, including long term care providers, can defend themselves in liability cases, was sent from...
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While the regular session of the 2018 General Assembly ends March 10, House and Senate leaders have announced they will not have an agreement on...
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The Virginia Senate is set to take a final vote on Monday, March 5, on a bill, which would be extremely detrimental to how organizations,...
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Language was added to HB 879, the bill addressing the frequency of nursing facility surveys, to put it effect as soon as it is signed...
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Thirteen members of the General Assembly will use the remaining days in the 2018 session to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate budget...
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On Thursday, the House of Delegates and Senate approved their respective budget bills setting the stage for them to head to a conference committee to...
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Nearly every conversation about the forthcoming biennial state budget includes mention of Medicaid expansion. As part of his out-going budget, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe included...
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On Sunday, February 18, the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees are slated to announce their respective budget proposals for the 2019 and 2020 state...
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The General Assembly hits "crossover" on Tuesday, February 13. That’s the deadline by which the House and Senate must act on bills that originated in...
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Reimbursement for Hospice Care Bill Referred to Appropriations Committee – HB 731, the bill directing the Department of Medical Assistance Services to implement a process for...
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[caption id="attachment_89009" align="alignright" width="300"] Delegates Aird, James, and Pillion[/caption] On February 1, VHCA-VCAL staff met with new members of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Health...
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Nurse Staffing Ratio Bill Left in Committee – Members of the Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee subcommittee #3 voted to “pass by indefinitely” HB...
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Legislators have introduced nearly two dozen measures related to certificate of public need (COPN) reform. VHCA-VCAL is closely reviewing all of the COPN bills to...
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Highlights of bills tracked by VHCA-VCAL. Nurse Staffing Ratios – HB 309, introduced by Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), would establish requirements for a minimum number...
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As the General Assembly kicked off another legislative session on January 10, VHCA-VCAL has been working in earnest to ensure legislators know the importance of...
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2018 brings a noticeable shift in the partisan makeup of the House of Delegates. Nineteen new delegates were elected in November: 16 Democrats and 3...
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The Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) has interpreted a bill passed during the 2017 General Assembly session in such a way that some nursing...
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Last week Del. Steve Landes (R-Augusta), who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees the budget and Medicaid spending, toured Shenandoah...
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New laws related to eligibility for employment in nursing centers or assisted living facilities, vaccine administration, TB testing, family councils, employment in assisted living, penalties...
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New laws related to eligibility for employment in assisted living, penalties for inspection issues, vaccine administration, TB testing, adult exploitation, and other issues affecting assisted...
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The Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) met on May 22 to discuss their 2017 work plan, which will include a study of staffing...
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At a meeting of the Joint Subcommittee for Health and Human Resources Oversight, General Assembly leaders learned that the U.S. Senate is seeking feedback from...
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The General Assembly officially completed its business for the 2017 session this week when it met for the reconvened session. Governor Terry McAuliffe and the...
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Gov. Terry McAuliffe has approved HB 2301, which removes the requirement that licensed practical nurses (LPN) be immediately and directly supervised by a registered nurse...
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The General Assembly is expected to adjourn sine die on Saturday, February 25. With the conclusion of the legislative work by delegates and senators, attention...
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The House of Delegates and Senate are expected to vote today, February 24, to approve the proposed budget for the remainder of fiscal year (FY)...
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A bill introduced by Del. Kathy Byron (R-Campbell County), HB 2101, would amend the definition of “charity care” used in the context of certificate of...
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With one week left until the scheduled adjournment of the 2017 General Assembly session, regular committee work is winding down and efforts to finalize the...
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Numerous bills of interest to long term care providers that passed their originating chamber received favorable committee action this week and are headed for final...
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The Health and Human Resources subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee left HB 2337 in committee. The bill would have created a two-phase process to...
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This week the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate passed their respective amendments to the biennial budgets. At this juncture, it appears that nursing centers...
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Sen. Rosalyn Dance (D-Petersburg) introduced a resolution calling for a study of staffing ratios in assisted living communities. As introduced, SJ 266 would have directed...
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HB 2304, which proposes a series of reforms to the Medicaid program now includes language supported by VHCA-VCAL on how the Department of Medical Assistance...
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The Senate Education and Health subcommittee on Certificate of Public Need (COPN) held a hearing this week on COPN reform measures and opted to have...
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Highlights of bills tracked by VHCA-VCAL. COPN Reform Legislation – A subcommittee of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee reported a series of...
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VHCA-VCAL’s advocacy work on behalf of long term care providers is a year-round job. While the General Assembly session may get most of the attention,...
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The Joint House and Senate Working Group on Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Reform endorsed a set of principles to guide COPN reform discussions this...
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Highlights of bills tracked by VHCA-VCAL. LPN PPD and Adult Vaccine Administration - HB 2301 Del. John O’Bannon’s (R-Henrico) bill to allow licensed practical nurses...
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To mitigate the negative impact of the nursing center rebasing, Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico) and Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico) introduced budget amendments on behalf of...
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This year the Legislative Conference is timed for the middle of the General Assembly session—January 25-26—to maximize the meaningfulness of your legislative visits. Be sure...
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Committee assignments for the 2017 session were announced this week with little change to the committees of jurisdiction affecting state budget and health care issues. ...
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As the General Assembly kicks off another legislative session this week, VHCA-VCAL has been working in earnest to ensure legislators know the importance of Medicaid...
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At the August 2 Board of Directors meeting, the Board recognized Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico) as an outstanding legislator and leader in the health care...
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Leaders of the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have announced the creation of the Joint Working Group on Certificate of Public Need (COPN)...
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The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) has highlighted three new statutes affecting assisted living communities that take effect on July 1. The statutes were...
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With the start of the Commonwealth’s new fiscal year (FY) on July 1, new Medicaid reimbursement rates for dates of service on or after July...
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With the start of the Commonwealth’s new fiscal year (FY) on July 1, new Medicaid reimbursement rates for dates of service on or after July...
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The one remaining certificate of public need bill, HB350, was sent back to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, March 7, ending its consideration for...
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The General Assembly took up the budget conference report today, March 11, to finalize the funding plans for fiscal years (FYs) 2017-2018. Nursing centers will...
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Thirteen legislators—seven senators and six delegates—are meeting to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate budgets before the General Assembly adjourns. This week VHCA-VCAL...
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The Senate Education and Health Committee reported only HB350 after a lengthy deliberation on certificate of public need (COPN) this week. The committee significantly amended...
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Sen. John Cosgrove’s SB553 on electronic monitoring moved swiftly through the House Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee after Sen. Cosgrove proposed alternate language for...
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The Senate Education and Health Committee’s subcommittee on certificate of public need (COPN) met this week and heard testimony in support and opposition to the...
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This week the House of Delegates and Senate approved their respective budget proposals and sent the measures to a conference committee to negotiate the differences....
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This week the House Privileges and Elections Committee’s Elections subcommittee tabled multiple measures that would have changed Virginia’s absentee voting laws. SB188, introduced by Sen....
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After unanimously passing the House and being favorably reported by the Senate Education and Health Committee, HB310 is poised to pass the General Assembly, reducing...
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Senate Education and Health Committee Chairman Sen. Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg) announced that he has established a special subcommittee to hear the House-passed certificate of public...
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Senators deliberated over six certificate of public need bills (COPN) on Monday, Feb. 8 in the Education and Health Committee’s health professions subcommittee. The subcommittee...
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VHCA-VCAL Chairman Vernon Baker, Administrator of Dogwood Village of Orange County invites you to attend the upcoming Legislative Conference. The annual VHCA-VCAL Legislative Conference is...
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Sen. John Cosgrove has removed language from SB553 on electronic monitoring in resident rooms in nursing centers that would have deferred to the pending Board of...
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VHCA-VCAL's advocacy work on behalf of long term care providers is a year-round job. While the General Assembly session may get most of the attention,...
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In a 33-7 vote, the Virginia Senate has voted to allow individuals who will be age 65 or older on the date of an election...
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The Senate Education and Health Committee reported SB513 from Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico), which increases the number of circumstances when prescribers must consult the Prescription...
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SB553 related to electronic monitoring in resident rooms in nursing centers was amended favorably in a subcommittee meeting earlier this week, but it was not...
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On February 4, the House Health Welfare and Institutions Committee reported HB193 on a 12-10 vote. HB 193, introduced by Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico), repeals...
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CNA Training - HB551 - Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale) introduced this bill to require an additional 80 hours of training for certified nurse aides (CNAs)...
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House Health, Welfare, and Institutions (HWI) Subcommittee #3 held a hearing on the 12 House bills related to certificate of public need (COPN) on January...
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Registration is now open for the February 24-25 Legislative Conference at the Omni Richmond Hotel. The program offers 8.25 hours of continuing education credit for...
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House Bill (HB) 343 would require that the Board of Health include in its regulations a requirement for nursing centers to provide a full refund...
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Del. Nick Rush (R-Christiansburg) has introduced a budget amendment to include the Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Center for Assisted Living (VHCA-VCAL) and other stakeholders in...
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House Bill (HB) 386 would require additional training topics for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) covering "observational and reporting techniques." Del. Randy Minchew (R-Loudoun) introduced the...
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Legislators held a press conference on January 20 on the certificate of public need reform (COPN) bills. Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico), who has introduced COPN...
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Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico) has introduced two budget amendments on behalf of the Virginia Health Care Association and the Virginia Center for Assisted Living (VHCA-VCAL.) ...
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Registration is now open for the February 24-25 Legislative Conference at the Omni Richmond Hotel. The program offers 8.25 hours of continuing education credit for...
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Eighteen new members were sworn in to the General Assembly this week—11 delegates and 7 senators. Along with their swearing-in, each was assigned to committees...
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The General Assembly convened in Richmond for its 2016 session on Wednesday, January 13. Legislators are scheduled to meet for 60 days this year and...
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Three Republican members of the House of Delegates held a press conference on December 21 to discuss the legislation they will carry during the 2016...
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Mark your calendar for VHCA’s 2016 Legislative Conference in Richmond on February 24-25, 2016 at the Omni Richmond Hotel. Book your hotel room now! We’re...
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Gov. Terry McAuliffe presented his biennial budget today. For the first time, the Commonwealth’s 2-year spending proposal will exceed $100 billion dollars. While the governor...
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Mark your calendar for VHCA’s 2016 Legislative Conference in Richmond on February 24-25, 2016 at the Omni Richmond Hotel. Book your hotel room now! We’re...
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The Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Work Group has submitted its final report to the General Assembly. The final report is largely unchanged from the...
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Virginia’s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Work Group held its final meeting November 16 to finalize its recommendations to the General Assembly, which are due...
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After Tuesday’s elections when all 140 members of the General Assembly were on the ballot, the balance of power in the both chambers barely changed....
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