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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Report: VA Nursing Homes Have U.S.' 2nd Highest Death Rate

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Thursday, March 18, 2021   

RICHMOND, Va. -- New COVID-19 infections and deaths are falling in Virginia nursing homes, but they're still twice as high as they were last summer according to a new analysis released by AARP Virginia.

Researchers looked at data from the four weeks ending Feb. 14 and found deaths in the Old Dominion state were the second highest in the nation.

David DeBiasi, associate state director for advocacy and outreach at AARP Virginia, who is also a registered nurse, said infection control can be compromised by short-staffing.

"If you're feeding someone, if you're dressing someone, it has to be slow," DeBiasi explained. "If you're bathing someone, it has to have that care and compassion that comes with time and presence. And if you're trying to rush around from room to room, there goes the health, well-being and safety of residents."

Virginia has no statewide mandatory minimum staffing levels for congregate-care facilities.

A bill to address the issue, Senate Bill 1149, never made it out of committee this past legislative season in the face of opposition from the nursing-home industry.

DeBiasi supports higher Medicaid reimbursements, so nursing homes can raise staff pay and attract and retain caregivers.

"AARP is asking to provide supplemental wages and benefits to staff during this emergency, to ensure that nursing home reimbursement rates increase, and that those increases are spent on staff pay and to improve protections for residents," DeBiasi remarked.

The report also showed one in seven nursing homes reported insufficient staffing levels and one in 10 reported a shortage of basic things such as masks, gowns and gloves during this time period studied.

Disclosure: AARP Virginia contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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