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 what to do about tax cuts.

• Although they adjourned the 2023 regular session, Sen. Janet Howell and Del. Barry Knight, the leading negotiators, have signaled that budget talks will continue, and a Special Session will be called to pass a full budget bill.

What it means: There is no word yet on decisions about funding VHCA-VCAL’s priorities: the Value-Based Purchasing Program, Medicaid reforms, and an increase in the Auxiliary Grant rate.

• However, inclusion of funding for these issues in both the House and Senate budgets is a positive sign for their inclusion in the final budget package.

Key Bill Wrap Up

Staffing minimum and LTSS Screenings: VHCA-VCAL has written to Gov. Glen Youngkin to ask him to sign the bills on nursing facility staffing and LTSS Screenings.

Minimum liability insurance: Legislators were able to come to agreement on the assisted living facility minimum liability insurance bill, SB 1221.

• The legislation would require the Board of Social Services to adopt regulations requiring each ALF to maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance, as determined by the Board, and provide notice of such insurance, upon request, to any resident or prospective resident.

• Legislators agreed to strike a provision related to charitable immunity.