My name is Carla Hesseltine, an elder advocate and Virginia Beach Human Rights Commissioner and I support HB2253. This bill is a crucial step toward implementing intermediate sanctions that will better protect the safety and well-being of nursing home residents in Virginia.
From 2018 to 2024, complaints about Virginia’s nursing homes have risen by 59%, reflecting a growing concern about the quality of care provided. Even more troubling is the increasing severity of these complaints, particularly those involving immediate jeopardy to residents’ health and safety.
Currently, the tools available to the State Health Commissioner to address violations are limited to:
- Suspending or revoking a nursing home’s license,
- Imposing civil penalties through the courts, and
- Restricting or prohibiting new admissions.
While these measures can be effective in severe cases, they are often too extreme or cumbersome to address issues that fall short of full-blown crisis. HB2253 would fill this gap by establishing new, intermediate sanctions for licensed nursing homes that violate state licensure laws and regulations.
This is particularly important for situations where there’s no federal requirement in place or when CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) chooses not to act on a cited deficiency. The bill would provide the State Health Commissioner and the Virginia Department of Health with the authority and flexibility to respond swiftly and appropriately to violations, ensuring nursing homes comply with state laws and regulations.
It’s important to note that Virginia is the only state in CMS Region 3—comprising Delaware, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—that does not have the authority to impose intermediate sanctions, such as civil monetary penalties. By passing HB2253, Virginia would align itself with neighboring states and take a more proactive approach to addressing deficiencies before they escalate into critical issues.
This bill is about more than just enforcement; it’s about ensuring there’s a clear mechanism for requiring corrective actions in a timely manner. It’s a commitment to improving the quality of care in our nursing homes and keeping residents safe from harm.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I urge you to vote “yes” on HB2253 to take this important step toward strengthening protections for Virginia’s nursing home residents.
My name is Carla Hesseltine, an elder advocate and Virginia Beach Human Rights Commissioner and I support HB2253. This bill is a crucial step toward implementing intermediate sanctions that will better protect the safety and well-being of nursing home residents in Virginia. From 2018 to 2024, complaints about Virginia’s nursing homes have risen by 59%, reflecting a growing concern about the quality of care provided. Even more troubling is the increasing severity of these complaints, particularly those involving immediate jeopardy to residents’ health and safety. Currently, the tools available to the State Health Commissioner to address violations are limited to: - Suspending or revoking a nursing home’s license, - Imposing civil penalties through the courts, and - Restricting or prohibiting new admissions. While these measures can be effective in severe cases, they are often too extreme or cumbersome to address issues that fall short of full-blown crisis. HB2253 would fill this gap by establishing new, intermediate sanctions for licensed nursing homes that violate state licensure laws and regulations. This is particularly important for situations where there’s no federal requirement in place or when CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) chooses not to act on a cited deficiency. The bill would provide the State Health Commissioner and the Virginia Department of Health with the authority and flexibility to respond swiftly and appropriately to violations, ensuring nursing homes comply with state laws and regulations. It’s important to note that Virginia is the only state in CMS Region 3—comprising Delaware, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—that does not have the authority to impose intermediate sanctions, such as civil monetary penalties. By passing HB2253, Virginia would align itself with neighboring states and take a more proactive approach to addressing deficiencies before they escalate into critical issues. This bill is about more than just enforcement; it’s about ensuring there’s a clear mechanism for requiring corrective actions in a timely manner. It’s a commitment to improving the quality of care in our nursing homes and keeping residents safe from harm. Thank you for your time and consideration. I urge you to vote “yes” on HB2253 to take this important step toward strengthening protections for Virginia’s nursing home residents.