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, the meetings and outreach we conduct with legislators, agency officials, and other stakeholders beyond session can have lasting impact on our ability to be effective advocates. 

We’ll be using this space to highlight VHCA-VCAL staff and leadership’s participation in meetings and events that are critical to the profession. 

Take a look at our outreach and advocacy work for the week of March 30, 2020. 

• 3/30—Members spoke with Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-9) and Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA-5) about COVID-19.
• 3/30—Participated in a call on COVID-19 for AHCA/NCAL state affiliate staff.
• 3/30—Participated in the Virginia Healthcare Workforce Advisory Council call on COVID-19.
• 3/31—Joined the COVID-19 Healthcare Coordination Committee’s workforce subcommittee call.
• 3/31—Members spoke with Gov. Ralph Northam and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Daniel Carey about COVID-19 related issued, including Medicaid funding for nursing facilities.
• 3/31—Members spoke with Del. Don McEachin (D-VA-4) and Del. Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) about COVID-19.
• 3/31—Participated in the COVID-19 Healthcare Coordination Committee call.
• 4/1—Participated in the VDH COVID-19 subcommittee on telehealth and phone triage.
• 4/1—Attended the CMS nursing facility conference call.
• 4/1—Members spoke with Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) about COVID-19.
• 4/2—Participated in the weekly DMAS COVID-19 call for nursing facilities.
• 4/2—Spoke with Secretary of Finance Aubrey Lane about nursing facility funding needs related to COVID-19.
• 4/2—Participated in the monthly call for NCAL state affiliate staff.
• 4/3—Participated in the Rapid Response Executive Committee Meeting conference call.
• 4/3—Members spoke with Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA-6) about COVID-19.
• 4/3—Participated in a conference call with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association on COVID-19 coordination between nursing facilities and health systems.