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 for nursing facilities is not among the unresolved issues. Once the budget deal is announced, legislators and the public will have 48 hours to review it before legislators vote on final passage.

VHCA-VCAL Urges Governor to Sign Bills

VHCA-VCAL President and CEO Keith Hare wrote a series of letters to Gov. Ralph Northam this week requesting that he sign the association’s priority legislation. Hare also wrote to the bill patrons thanking them for their leadership in carrying bills on behalf of Virginia’s nursing centers and assisted living communities.

VHCA-VCAL asked the governor to sign the following:

• SB 1217 and HB 2219 – Nursing Home Truth in Advertising
• SB 1277 and HB 1870 – Emergency Evacuation of Nursing Homes
• SB 1077 – Assisted Living Generator Testing

Gov. Northam signed SB 1077 on February 21, 2017. The governor has until the April 3, 2019 reconvened session to act on the other bills. Signed legislation will take effect on July 1, 2019.