A new federal review reveals that Virginia did not use millions of dollars designated for nursing home oversight, even as facilities across the state fell dramatically behind on inspections and complaints surged.
According to CMS, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) returned more than $2.4 million in unspent federal funds between 2021 and 2023 — money specifically meant to support nursing home surveyors, investigators, and regulatory staff.
For families with loved ones in long-term care, the findings point to a troubling failure of state oversight during a time when many residents needed it most.
The federal findings come at a time when Virginia’s Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC) — the branch responsible for nursing home inspections — is undergoing a major overhaul.
Recent internal reports showed:
Federal data confirms that 75% of Virginia nursing homes were overdue for their routine inspections, placing the state second-to-last nationally.
Families interviewed by CBS 6 last year reported slow responses to complaints, delayed investigations, and little accountability when facilities violated regulations.
Despite VDH’s claims that federal funding has been “flat” since 2015, CMS told reporters that Virginia routinely did not use the inspection funds it was given.
Federal officials emphasized that states may use these funds to bolster inspection capacity — something Virginia desperately needed as complaints rose and deadlines lapsed.
Elder care regulation expert Toby Edelman said failing to use available funds “is really troubling” and puts vulnerable residents at risk.
“If the surveyors don’t come in, facilities decline in the quality of care they’re providing,” Edelman said.
VDH responded that state payment records show a smaller amount returned — about $882,000 — due to “accounting adjustments” tied to reduced payroll and supply costs.
However, VDH did not fully explain the discrepancy between that figure and CMS’s higher total.
For FY 2024, VDH acknowledged it had not yet drawn down roughly $4 million from its federal award of $7.7 million — though it plans to consult CMS about accessing remaining funds.
Even after accounting differences, the pattern remains clear:
Virginia left critical oversight dollars unused during a statewide inspection crisis.
Internal reviews found that vacancies in the OLC stretched across multiple years.
As of last month:
Inspector salaries ranged from $75,000–$86,000, yet recruitment efforts did not accelerate until Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order in 2025 mandating aggressive hiring.
Within weeks, more than 300 people applied — raising questions about why this push did not happen years earlier.
When oversight breaks down, residents face consequences:
Experts warn that delayed inspections can allow conditions inside nursing homes to deteriorate “quietly and dangerously.”
Despite the recent hiring surge, the state is still digging out from years of oversight failures. Families should stay vigilant.
Ask facilities:
Ask VDH:
Until Virginia’s oversight system is fully staffed and functioning at acceptable levels, families must continue to advocate aggressively for their loved ones.
If your loved one was injured, neglected, or died in a Virginia nursing home — especially during a period when inspections were overdue — our team can investigate staffing, oversight failures, and the facility’s history of violations.
Consultations are free. No recovery, no fee.
Bedsore.Law has recovered millions for families nationwide harmed by nursing neglect, abuse, and wrongful death.
Source: WTVR
