With the General Assembly session set to begin on January 8, 2025, AARP Virginia is intensifying its advocacy efforts, honing in on three critical issues that significantly impact older residents: prescription drug affordability, nursing home quality, and streamlined access to Medicaid home care services. This session presents an opportunity to address these pressing concerns and make meaningful policy changes for the betterment of Virginians aged 50 and older.
Rising Prescription Drug Costs
One of the foremost challenges is the relentless rise in prescription drug costs, which has far surpassed the rate of inflation and become a substantial burden on elderly Virginians. AARP Virginia endorses the creation of a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, an initiative previously passed by the General Assembly with bipartisan backing but later vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. This board would have the authority to set upper payment limits on certain high-cost medications. Given that recent federal legislation to control drug costs for Medicare recipients did not entirely solve the problem, state-level interventions remain crucial. Jared Calfee, AARP Virginia State Advocacy Director, stressed that medications must be affordable to be effective, highlighting the urgency of this advocacy.
Enhancing Nursing Home Quality
In addition to drug costs, the quality of nursing homes in Virginia is a significant concern, as nearly half of the state’s facilities have been rated just 1 or 2 stars by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), pointing to inadequate conditions and staffing issues. A particularly alarming trend saw many of these homes stopping new admissions in 2024 due to severe understaffing. To tackle this, AARP Virginia plans to push for budget amendments aimed at strengthening the long-term care workforce, improving recruitment and retention rates, and ensuring adequate funding for medical facility inspectors. This will ensure nursing homes comply with care standards. Collaborating with the Virginia Voices for Nursing Home Residents coalition, AARP Virginia is committed to driving reforms and securing necessary funding to improve these facilities.
Streamlining Medicaid Home Care Access
Another critical focus for AARP Virginia is improving the convoluted process of obtaining Medicaid for home and community-based services. Currently, applicants can face delays of up to three months, often leaving them without essential care and pushing them unnecessarily into nursing homes. AARP Virginia supports the Home and Community-Based Services Presumptive Eligibility for Medicaid bill, championed by Delegate Mark Sickles. This legislation aims to grant presumptive eligibility to individuals likely to qualify for Medicaid, thus providing immediate access to home care while their applications are being processed. This reform is expected to reduce unnecessary nursing home admissions and save taxpayer money.
Continued Advocacy and Support
With the General Assembly session slated to start on January 8, 2025, AARP Virginia is ramping up its advocacy efforts, focusing on three critical areas that profoundly affect older adults: making prescription drugs more affordable, enhancing the quality of nursing homes, and simplifying access to Medicaid home care services. These three issues are essential for improving the lives of Virginians aged 50 and older. The upcoming session provides an excellent opportunity to push for and potentially implement significant policy changes that will benefit older residents. AARP Virginia is committed to championing these causes, recognizing the urgency and importance of addressing these concerns. By advocating for more affordable prescription drugs, the organization aims to alleviate a substantial financial burden on seniors. Improving nursing home quality ensures a safer and more comfortable living environment for older adults who require constant care. Streamlining Medicaid home care access will help more seniors receive the assistance they need without navigating complex bureaucratic procedures.
