Bill Establishing Long-Term Care Standards Passes Senate Committee Despite Funding Concerns

The Senate Health Committee greenlit Bill 36-0003, which sets mandatory service standards and resident rights for nursing and assisted living facilities, amid concerns over cost, staffing, and unfunded mandates flagged by DHS and lawmakers alike.

Despite some concerns over funding for the mandates contained within Bill 36-0003, the Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services voted in favor of the proposed legislation during Monday’s meeting.

Discussion on the bill, sponsored by Senator Angel Bolques Jr., was the first order of business. The legislation in question would “establish the services that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to provide.” It also establishes limitations on financial charges, requirements for visitation, and the rights of residents of such facilities.

The bill “codifies critical resident protections already reflected in federal law under Medicare and Medicaid standards,” explained Bolques. It prohibits facilities from “conditioning admission on prepayment for services covered by Medicaid or Medicare” and ensures that individuals are not discriminated against based on income. According to the lawmaker, the bill requires that “facilities’ policies must be made public and accessible and reviewed annually and submitted to the V.I. Department of Human Services for review and oversight.”

“No Virgin Islander should be denied care or suffer diminished quality of life due to the financial hardship or lack of representation or unclear policies,” declared Mr. Bolques, urging the support of his colleagues.