Spanberger Statement on Governor Northam’s Creation of Virginia Nursing Home Task Force

Apr 10, 2020
Healthcare
Local Issues
Press

HENRICO, V.A. – U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced the creation of a task force to respond to ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks at Virginia nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

“In Central Virginia, our communities have been stunned and devastated by the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths at our local nursing homes and long-term care facilities. With each new update, we find ourselves utterly heartbroken as more friends, family members, and neighbors are lost to this horrific pandemic,” said Spanberger. “This unspeakable catastrophe here in the Seventh District requires a strong, immediate response—and Governor Northam’s announcement today is the right step toward preventing further tragedy, providing the public with additional information, and saving lives. I’ll be closely working with the Governor, Dr. Forlano, and their team as they coordinate a strategic response and build a path toward containment, mitigation, and eventual healing. At this moment, my heart is with the loved ones of those who have passed away and those who are suffering, and I will continue fighting to protect the nursing home and assisted living staff who are battling this terrible crisis on the front lines.”

Multiple nursing home and long-term care facilities in Spanberger’s district have seen a shocking increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths over the past few weeks. Yesterday, the death toll at Canterbury Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Henrico County rose to 39, with 84 residents still infected with COVID-19. Additionally, at least 25 healthcare workers on staff at Canterbury have been infected with COVID-19.

Yesterday, Spanberger led a bipartisan effort urging U.S. House and U.S. Senate leadership to include emergency funding for nursing home and long-term care facilities in the next iteration of COVID-19 legislation. Earlier this week, Spanberger led a bipartisan group of Virginia members in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to swiftly distribute a minimum of $25 billion in federal funding  to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Virginia and across the country.

Last month, Spanberger and U.S. Representative Denver Riggleman (R-VA-05) pressed HHS to use its authorities under the Defense Production Act to provide immediate, additional supplies of personal protective equipment to impacted nursing homes and long-term care centers.

### 

Recent Posts


Oct 3, 2024
Veterans' Issues

President Signs Into Law Spanberger-Backed Bill to Cut Red Tape for Veterans Joining the Trucking Workforce

The “Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act” Would Cut Red Tape for CDL Schools & the Veterans They Serve WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden this week signed into law bipartisan legislation U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger helped lead to cut red tape for Veterans looking to use their GI benefits to pay for commercial driver’s license […]



Oct 2, 2024
Press

Spanberger Grateful for FEMA Disaster Assistance for Virginia to Recover from Hurricane Helene, Urges Congress to Pass Emergency Appropriations Package to “Meet Any Unmet Needs”

Congresswoman: “Virginia’s Families And Businesses Will Need Additional Support As The Full Extent Of The Devastation Becomes Clear” WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after President Biden granted additional federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Congresswoman also urged congressional […]



Oct 1, 2024
Press

Spanberger, Wittman Lead Bipartisan Effort to Increase Military Leave for Federal Employees Serving in the National Guard, Reserves

The “Supporting Federal Employees in the National Guard & Reserves Act” is Endorsed by the National Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Fire Fighters, American Federation of Government Employees, & Reserve Organization of America WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase military leave […]