Senators weigh pausing new home-care licenses amid inspection backlog
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Summary
Sponsor proposed pausing processing of pending home-care license applications until the Department of Health inspects all existing licensed home-care agencies; VDH officials confirmed a staffing backlog and said they are hiring but could not give a timeline, prompting pushback from several senators.
A proposal to hold new home-care licenses while the Virginia Department of Health clears a backlog of agency inspections prompted sharp questions at the Jan. 27 subcommittee meeting.
Sponsor: The sponsor said the Office of Licensure and Certification is overwhelmed with applications and not completing required on-site inspections; the proposed amendment would hold pending license applications in abeyance until existing agencies are surveyed so regulators do not get farther behind.
VDH response: Joe Hilbert of VDH confirmed the office has five staff plus a supervisor assigned to the work and that the department is actively recruiting. He acknowledged the backlog but declined to provide a firm timeline for clearing it, saying the department is assembling an aggressive plan and can report back.
Stakeholder testimony: Marcy Tetherton of Home Care & Hospice and other industry witnesses said the state has more licensed home-care agencies than comparable states and pointed to a small number of poor actors; they argued inspections are needed to protect clients. Some senators said halting all applications without a clear timetable risks denying service providers that communities need.
Outcome: Committee members asked for more precise timelines and for targeted alternatives rather than a blanket pause; the sponsor indicated willingness to work with stakeholders on amendments and substitutes.
What's next: Sponsor will seek revisions and further information from VDH before the bill proceeds.