Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 97 and House Joint Resolution (HJR) 156 of the 1998 Session of the General Assembly directed the Joint Commission on Health Care to examine a number of long-term care issues. These include several long-term care licensure, certification, and financing issues. Specifically, the Joint Commission on Health Care was requested to examine: (i) long-term care licensure and improvements in existing agencies; (ii) the feasibility of and necessity for a separate Department of Health Care Quality; (iii) the advantages and disadvantages of "deemed status" where accreditation is accepted in lieu of state licensure or federal certification; (iv) long-term care financing strategies, including long-term care insurance, blending Medicaid and Medicare for dually-eligible individuals, and creative use of Medicaid waivers; (v) strategies for increasing the number of graduates of Virginia medical schools who specialize in geriatric medicine; and (vi) other issues as may seem appropriate.

Chapter One examines the first three issues identified by SJR 97 and HJR 156. These are improvements in existing agencies, the feasibility of and necessity for a separate Department of Health Care Quality, and the advantages and disadvantages of deemed status.

Chapter Two examines long-term care financing issues, concentrating on care in nursing facilities and adult care residences. This chapter also examines means for increasing the number of graduates of Virginia medical schools who specialize in geriatric issues.