ICYMI: On August 11, 2025, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order (EO) 52 to strengthen oversight of Virginia’s nursing homes by increasing the workforce at the VDH’s Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), improving training for surveyors, modernizing operations, and establishing an Advisory Board on Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability.

• VHCA-VCAL responded by noting that the goals of the EO are consistent with the association’s advocacy efforts while also expressing concern about whether VDH OLC will be provided with the resources needed to implement the recommendations in the timeframes indicated.

The details: The EO acknowledges the growing number of complaints and the high vacancy rate among inspectors, which have strained the state’s ability to meet inspection mandates. It also builds on recent legislative efforts to improve enforcement authority and staffing resources at OLC. After detailing these issues, the EO specified that the administration would take the following actions:

• Increase workforce capacity by recruiting and filling all Medical Facility Inspector (MFI) vacancies and establishing a new regional OLC office in Northern Virginia.

• Strengthen nursing home oversight with the creation of an Advisory Board on Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability that proposes recommendations on policies and practices to improve resident well-being and quality of care and elevates standards across nursing homes.
• Modernizing operations through automation of licensing and inspection processes, and exploring the use of AI to reduce administrative burdens.
• Increasing transparency by launching a public-facing portal that will display inspection results, disciplinary actions, and key performance metrics for each facility.

How VHCA-VCAL responded: VHCA-VCAL was contacted by multiple media outlets about the EO and issued the following statement in response:

The goals outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order are consistent with Virginia Health Care Association-Virginia Center for Assisted Living (VHCA-VCAL) advocacy efforts to ensuring high-quality care for long-term care residents across the Commonwealth.

While the administration has emphasized the importance of accountability and regulatory improvement, VHCA-VCAL is concerned that the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Licensure and Certification has not received the necessary funding to fully implement the recommended measures within the proposed timeframes. Effective oversight requires adequate resources, and without them, the success of these initiatives will be limited.

Additionally, VHCA-VCAL strongly believes Governor Youngkin should support nursing home residents by directing the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to follow the budget passed by the General Assembly, which included funding to help facilities hire direct care staff. The unconstitutional veto of this funding poses a significant challenge for providers working to maintain safe and resident-focused care.

Virginia’s nursing homes remain committed to delivering high-quality care, but they also require the tools and support to do so. VHCA-VCAL urges the Governor to ensure that policy goals are matched with the financial resources necessary to achieve them.

We will continue to keep you informed as we engage with state leaders, advocate for the funding and support our members’ needs, and work to ensure that the voices of long-term care providers are heard and considered in policy discussion that affects our ability to deliver high-quality care.

Read the coverage:

• Governor creates new LTC oversight board, pledges to fill surveyor openings by year’s end (mcknights.com, August 12, 2025)
• Governor, top health officials take action following CBS 6 investigations into nursing home oversight (wtvr.com, August 12, 2025)
• Youngkin signs executive order to boost oversight of nursing homes (13newsnow.com, com, August 12, 2025)

What’s next: VHCA-VCAL will continue its active engagement with OLC, the administration, and legislators to call for the resources needed for an efficient and timely survey process.