Please stop allowing lobbyists and for-profit corporations to influence decisions that directly affect residents and frontline employees. If Virginia wants to improve the quality of long-term care, it must establish safe staffing ratios and invest in recruiting, educating, and retaining qualified, compassionate caregivers.

Legislation addressing staffing standards should not be repeatedly delayed to protect corporate profits. While employees struggle to provide basic care without adequate staffing, supplies, or resources, companies continue spending money on conferences, celebrations, and cosmetic renovations. Funding should be directed toward additional staff, competitive wages, professional development, and the supplies needed to provide safe, dignified care.

And to the big for profit establishments renovating a nurses’ station or shining the floors may improve appearances, but it cannot replace sufficient staffing or quality resident care. Our elderly and vulnerable residents deserve meaningful action—not cosmetic solutions. As my dad would say “ You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig”.