Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
Guidance Document Change: This guidance document summarizes how the State Health Commissioner (“The Commissioner”) of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), through the Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), may consider imposing administrative sanctions for nursing facilities under 12VAC5-371-90 and Va. Code §§ 32.1-27, 27.1, and 135. This guidance document does not create new requirements or mandatory enforcement levels. Decisions regarding sanctions will always be fact specific. This guidance document does not limit VDH's or the Commissioner’s authority to take any action authorized by law.

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8/13/26  10:14 am
Commenter: Rebecca Hayes

only skimming the surface
 
It is incredibly frustrating to feel like the systems designed to protect vulnerable people are failing, especially when high costs make the lack of accountability feel even more unjust. Your concern for residents who do not have family to advocate for them highlights a deeply critical issue in long-term care.
Because of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and private arbitration, finding the exact number of out-of-court cash settlements is a known challenge for researchers, advocates, and government agencies alike. However, public regulatory data, enforcement reports, and legal studies offer a clearer picture of how the system operates and where reform efforts stand.
CommentID: 240819
 

8/13/26  12:14 pm
Commenter: Anonymous

Thank You
 

I understand there is a lot of work still to do. A ton of work, in fact. But thank you for continuing to work towards a better way. In our rural area of Virginia, nursing homes are abysmal. We are slowly seeing some improvements but progress is incremental. They get dinged by licensure but very little changes. I'm talking about neglect. Insects. Rodents. Floors sticky with urine. Broken heat &/or air conditioning. Unchanged bandages, unaddressed fractures. You wouldn't put a stray dog in some of these places, but many times the choice is a lousy nursing home close by or a better one that you can't afford to visit. And unvisited people are prime candidates for the worst neglect. So, again, THANK YOU for tightening regs, decreasing backlogs, & increasing inspectors and please don't give up, just push harder & ask for more help. Those are people living in these places, and they don't deserve what they are getting.

CommentID: 240821