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1998 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 209
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the mission and effectiveness of the organization, operation, and performance of the Department for the Aging.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 17, 1998
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 1998

WHEREAS, the Department for the Aging is the Commonwealth's single state agency responsible for administration of the Older Americans Act; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Commission on Health Care has identified concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Department in assisting state policymakers in dealing with the increasing numbers of elderly Virginians; and

WHEREAS, a 1996 report by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources recommended strengthening the Department's education and research functions; and

WHEREAS, Virginians 85 years of age and older are the fastest-growing segment of the state population; and

WHEREAS, the Department's maximum employment level has been reduced from 32 to 22 positions; and

WHEREAS, the Department has several positions that have remained open for a long period of time; and

WHEREAS, long-term care financing is becoming increasingly complex with regard to managed care and blending Medicaid and Medicare financing for the dually eligible; and

WHEREAS, the Department does not currently have staff expertise in long-term care financing; and

WHEREAS, a need exists for coordination among the multiple state agencies involved in aging issues as distinct from long-term care issues; and

WHEREAS, a need exists for consumer education regarding long-term care and aging issues; and

WHEREAS, the Department plays a potentially important role in conducting research, policy analysis, and long-range planning on aging issues and on the challenges and opportunities presented by the growing number of older Virginians; and

WHEREAS, a strong Department is important to the Commonwealth's ability to prepare all state agencies and programs to best meet the needs of the growing number of older Virginians and their families; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) be directed to study the mission and effectiveness of the organization, operation, and performance of the Department for the Aging. The study shall examine (i) the mission of the Department and the extent to which such mission should extend beyond administration of the Older Americans Act; (ii) the effectiveness of the organization, operation, and performance of the Department in meeting its current mandate; (iii) the staffing of the Department with regard to its current mission; and (iv) any other activities as it may deem appropriate.

The Department shall cooperate fully as requested and make available all records, staff, and information necessary for the completion of work by JLARC and its staff. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to JLARC, upon request.

JLARC shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1999 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.