In the interest of reducing unnecessary health care spending in Virginia, members of the Joint Commission on Health Care reviewed an analysis of emergency department (ED) utilization and related costs this week. The overarching policy recommendation from the report was to adjust certain facilities’ reimbursement rates based on their levels of operation and care provided. … Read more
The first bill prefiled for the 2022 Virginia Legislative Session could secure up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, benefitting caregivers across the commonwealth. Senate bill 1, which Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D – Herndon) introduced on Monday, would require the Virginia Employment Commission to helm the benefit program. House … Read more
Eight policy solutions, aimed at addressing nursing home staff shortages and improving quality of care, received a final assessment from the Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC)’s nursing facility workforce work group last week. The workgroup voted on whether or not to recommend each policy to the full JCHC for a formal vote on … Read more
Less than two weeks remain before the Nov. 2 elections which will determine a new governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and House of Delegates — and some of Virginia’s health care leaders say the results could impact the health initiatives prioritized in the coming years. Others say, however, that regardless of the elections’ outcomes, they … Read more
Behavioral health continues to be one of Virginia’s top health priorities, both in the Legislature and for advocates across the Commonwealth. Solutions to workforce shortages at inpatient behavioral health facilities continue to proceed through the legislature. On the other side, advocates say more work can be done to improve mandatory outpatient treatment (MOT) programs throughout … Read more
In an effort to address staffing shortages and improve quality of care at Virginia’s nursing homes, legislators deliberated over eight potential policy solutions presented at the Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) meeting this week. These included increasing reimbursement rates for nursing home staff, establishing acuity-based work hour requirements, and quality evaluations. As … Read more
The Virginia Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) is one step closer to determining its 2022 study topics, which will help inform policymakers as they draft legislation in the upcoming session in January. Potential study issues the Commission discussed at this week’s executive committee meeting include long-term care, behavioral health workforce shortages, maternal … Read more
Increased reimbursement for maternal health providers, community-based services, and disaggregated data were key themes among Virginia maternal health advocates at the Joint Commission on Health Care meeting last week. Policy makers heard testimonies from three agencies to better inform their priorities for the upcoming 2022 legislative session. Carol Sakala, PhD, director for maternal … Read more
The Legislative Joint Commission on Health Care began discussion on potential topics to study in 2022 and identified three areas of interest during its meeting on Tuesday. The Commission’s executive committee will then meet in two weeks to finalize topics, followed by background research and drafting study resolutions for the Commission to vote on in … Read more
Jennifer Faison is the executive director of the Virginia Association of Community Services Boards (VACSB) which oversees 39 CSBs across the Commonwealth and the Behavioral Health Authority. Faison has advocated for Virginia’s behavioral health workforce — not just at state hospitals but the services embedded in the community as well, especially as the pandemic continues … Read more