Bill > HB605

This bill directs the Joint Commission on Health Care, a state agency, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the workforce in Virginia's nursing facilities. This evaluation will involve reviewing past findings on nursing home workforce challenges, comparing current direct care hours provided per resident to standards set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and examining the adequacy of care provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aides in meeting specific hour requirements for the Virginia Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program, which uses a case mix-adjusted total nurse staffing hours metric. The Joint Commission will also explore and propose recommendations on the effectiveness of incorporating registered nurse coverage as an additional component of minimum staffing requirements, considering potential care benefits, staffing and cost impacts, reporting methods, and other relevant factors. Furthermore, the review will look into other aspects of the "hours per patient per day" staffing standard, such as adjusted requirements and the inclusion of other direct care professionals. The Joint Commission is required to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and key legislative committees by December 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB605