The body's third meeting kicked off with presentations from three board members, including consumer advocate Joanna Heiskill of the group Justice and Change for Victims of Nursing Facilities. Her advocacy stemmed from neglect she said her mother experienced at a nursing facility several years ago.

Calling it a "crisis," she implored the board to address what she believes is the root cause of declining quality of care: profit seeking. Heiskill said ownership entities acquiring facilities "without limits and restrictions" in Virginia is "not sensible" and "dangerous." The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), which is responsible for licensing operators and approving ownership changes, currently has limited statutory authority to collect information that would give it insight into an owner's

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