Youngkin announces members on newly-created board to oversee Virginia nursing homes

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced the members of the newly-established board that will oversee nursing homes, which was created under an executive order signed in August.

The Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Board reportedly includes providers, geriatricians, advocates and external stakeholders.

The Governor's office announced the following board members:

• Sherrin Alsop, supervisor, King and Queen County
• Peter Anderson, JD, elder care litigation attorney, Rawls Law Group
• Jonathan Cook, President and CEO, LifeSpire of Virginia Senior Living Communities
• James Dau, associate state director, American Association of Retired Persons
• Laura Finch, MS, GNP, RN, gerontological nurse practitioner, Virginia Commonwealth University Center of Aging
• Amanda Gannon, nursing home administrator, Green Tree Healthcare
• Candace Gilliam, LPN, direct care provider, August Healthcare
• Emily Hardy, JD, elder law attorney, Virginia Poverty Law Center
• Joanna Heiskill, advocate, Justice and Change for Victims of Nursing Facilities
• Carla Hesseltine, chair, Commonwealth Council in Aging
• Chief Baynard Jackson, Fire Chief, Henrico County
• Karen Kimsey, former director, Department of Medical Assistance Services
• Sam Kukich, executive director, Dignity for the Aged
• Joani Latimer, state long-term care ombudsman, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
• Paige McCleary, adult protective services division director, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
• Cheryl Roberts, JD, director, Department of Medical Assistance Services
• James Sherlock, retired U.S. Navy Captain
• Dr. Karen Shelton, commissioner, Virginia Department of Health
• Corie Tillman Wolf, JD, Board of Long-Term Care Administrators Executive Director, Department of Health Professions
• Todd Barnes, NHA, MED, administrator, Department of Veterans Services

The executive order, which Youngkin signed on Monday, Aug. 11, directed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the state health commissioner to implement these actions:

• Increase the workforce capacity of nursing homes
• Strengthen oversight with the creation of a new advisory board
• Modernize operations by using artificial intelligence for licensing and inspection processes
• Increase transparency by creating a new information portal

Youngkin directed the state health commissioner, Dr. Karen Shelton, to convene the advisory board in the executive order.

Youngkin's office said Virginia currently has nearly 300 licensed nursing homes serving around 33,000 residents, with most facilities certified to receive federal funding.

The VDH’s Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) is responsible for inspecting those nursing homes to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, investigating complaints, and safeguarding resident well-being, Youngkin's office said. 

However, Youngkin's office cited that OLC has significant staffing shortages, with a 42% vacancy rate among inspectors.

"Combined with increasing complaint volumes, this has led to operational challenges and delays," Youngkin's office said.

Youngkin's office said that VDH is launching a comprehensive plan focused on recruiting and training inspectors, adopting new technologies to streamline the handling of complaints and enhancing transparency through a public nursing home information portal.

Additionally, Youngkin's office said the advisory board will guide improvements in oversight and quality of care "to strengthen protections for Virginia’s most vulnerable seniors and ensure their safety, dignity, and quality of life."

This advisory board comes alongside a lawsuit filed by 181 nursing homes against Virginia Medicaid, which they plan to bring before the Supreme Court of Virginia.

The nursing homes claimed that Virginia Medicaid did not comply with the increased nursing funding adopted by the General Assembly in February and that Virginia Medicaid is “relying on an attempted veto by Gov. Youngkin that did not follow the requirements of the Virginia Constitution.”

In response, Youngkin's spokesperson cited a funding increase for nursing homes in previous budgets, a reported decrease in quality despite that increase, and added that Youngkin believes his veto is within his powers set by the Virginia Constitution.