Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nursing Home Oversight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel advances disclosure requirement for nursing-home change-of-operator applications
Summary
SB 247 would require prospective nursing-home operators to disclose prior licensing, quality or bankruptcy histories to the Virginia Department of Health; proponents said the measure increases transparency and helps ensure quality operators. The subcommittee approved the bill.
Senate Bill 247 would obligate prospective nursing-home operators, when a change of ownership or operator occurs, to disclose prior licensing actions, quality concerns or bankruptcies as part of the licensing process with the Virginia Department of Health.
The patron described the measure as a quality-control effort designed to ensure that operators who assume responsibility for nursing homes meet state standards. "It is an effort to ensure that we get quality operators in the state of Virginia," the sponsor said.
Scott Johnson, general counsel for the Virginia Health Care Association, said the association representing most nursing-home beds in the state supports the bill and that it is designed to improve quality and transparency. "The board of directors of the association voted unanimously to bring this forward because we heard your message that we need to be aggressive on quality and improving quality and transparency," Johnson said.
The subcommittee voted to advance the bill; recorded votes were unanimous in favor in subcommittee. The bill would require the Virginia Department of Health to deny a license if applications or disclosures are incomplete or indicate disqualifying histories. Further technical questions were directed to association counsel and agency staff.
