The Virginia Health Care Association and the Virginia Center for Assisted Living’s (VHCA-VCAL) advocacy work on behalf of long term care providers is a year-round job. While the General Assembly session may get most of the attention, the meetings and outreach we conduct with legislators, agency officials, and other stakeholders beyond session can have lasting impact on our ability to be effective advocates.

We’ll be using this space to highlight VHCA-VCAL staff and leadership’s participation in meetings and events that are critical to the profession. Take a look at our activities this week:

• 1/11-15—40 activity professionals took the VHCA-VCAL Activities and More program.
• 1/11—Met with House Democratic Caucus leaders to discuss VHCA-VCAL’s 2016 legislative priorities.
• 1/11—Attended the Senate Finance Committee Health and Human Resources Subcommittee meeting.
• 1/11—Attended political fundraisers for Del. Steve Landes (R-Augusta), House Majority Leader Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Dick Saslaw (D-Fairfax).
• 1/11—Met with Sen. Lynwood Lewis (D-Accomack) and Del. Roxann Robinson (R-Chesterfield) to discuss VHCA-VCAL’s legislative priorities.
• 1/12—Attended political fundraisers for the Senate Democratic Caucus, the Senate Republican Caucus, and House Speaker Bill Howell (R-Fredericksburg).
• 1/12—VHCA Chairman Vernon Baker of Dogwood Village of Orange County and Vice Chairman David Tucker of CCR and VHCA staff met with Del. Chris Peace.
• 1/13—Over 165 VHCA members participated in our Survey Trends education program.
• 1/13—Met with Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Galax) to discuss budget issues.
• 1/13—Met with Del. Chris Peace (R-Hanover) and Del. Scott Garrett (R-Lynchburg) to discuss VHCA-VCAL’s legislative interests.
• 1/14—Attended the Senate Education and Health and the House Commerce and Labor Committee meetings.
• 1/15—Attended the House Appropriations Committee meeting.
• 1/15—Met with Del. Randy Minchew (R-Leesburg) and Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) to discuss legislative issues.
• 1/15—Met with Del. John O’Bannon (R-Henrico) to discuss budget issues and other VHCA-VCAL priorities.