RICHMOND, VA, — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the creation of a new Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability Advisory Board, formed under Executive Order 52. The board brings together healthcare providers, geriatric specialists, advocates, and other stakeholders to strengthen oversight, improve quality, and ensure transparency in nursing homes across the Commonwealth.
“Every Virginian deserves to know that their loved ones are safe, respected, and receiving the highest standard of care,” Governor Youngkin said. “This Advisory Board will promote transparency and deliver solutions that protect our most vulnerable seniors.” The board will advise on quality initiatives, recommend policies to enhance resident well-being, and provide guidance on budgetary, legislative, and administrative measures aimed at improving long-term care. Members include experts in healthcare, direct care, advocacy, and law, all selected for their experience and commitment to senior care.
Virginia currently has nearly 300 licensed nursing homes serving around 33,000 residents. The state’s Office of Licensure and Certification, responsible for inspecting homes and investigating complaints, faces staffing shortages with a 42% vacancy rate among inspectors. To address these challenges, the state has fully funded inspector positions and given the Health Commissioner greater enforcement authority. The Advisory Board will also guide improvements through a public nursing home information portal, new technologies for complaint handling, and recruitment and training initiatives for inspectors. Officials say these measures aim to ensure safety, dignity, and quality of life for Virginia’s seniors.
