Virginia Continuing Care Residents Association (VaCCRA)

MEDICARE, ACO, ACO-REACH PROGRAM

Dr. Gimm's presentation HERE
Dr. Radley's presentation HERE

WHAT IS VACCRA?
The Virginia Continuing Care Residents Association (VaCCRA) promotes and protects the interests of CCRC residents.  It is the only statewide, resident-based organization that advocates for CCRC residents on the local, state, and national levels.

• VaCCRA follows legislation on the state level that affects seniors and senior living facilities, especially CCRCs.
• VaCCRA shares ideas and information with CCRC resident associations statewide.
• VaCCRA disseminates information of interest to residents, especially issues affecting financial security and quality of life. VaCCRA also fosters an understanding of the CCRC concept as beneficial and socially desirable. 
• VaCCRA partners with NaCCRA to multiply our voices at the federal level. 

WHY SHOULD I JOIN VACCRA?

• To strengthen our voice in Richmond when legislators as us how many individual members we have. 
• To support the only educational and civic organization in Virginia whose purpose is to protect the interests of CCRC residents.
• To share information with and learn from other CCRC resident associations nationwide.
• To be heard at the local, state and national levels on issues that affect CCRCs and their residents, such as the Provider Tax (a/k/a Bed Tax).  This is a daily tax on nursing beds, intended to raise funds for additional Medicaid coverage.  If this tax becomes law in Virginia, the additional costs to Goodwin House could result in steep increases in your monthly fees.

WHAT IS VACCRA DOING?

• VaCCRA (state-level) supports the NaCCRA (National Continuing Care Resident Association) position opposing liability waivers for nursing home providers and operators. NaCCRA is now part of the Coalition for the Protection of Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. NaCCRA was invited to join the group after the release of the NaCCRA Immunity Statement approved by the Board of Directors. The Coalition has prepared an Issue Brief to Oppose Immunity which details the issue and how immunity harms residents.
• VaCCRA supports voter registration efforts for residents or GH and holds occasional meetings with local and state representatives in non-election years. 
  
• Check out the VaCCRA website HERE and the specific legislative efforts HERE.

HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF VACCRA?
NaCCRA, VaCCRA, and VaCCRA's Goodwin House chapter need you, your ideas, and your support. Beginning fall 2020, membership is combined for VaCCRA and NaCCRA. Annual dues (which includes membership in both organizations) are $35 for a single membership and $60 for a couple’s membership. Joining and renewing via credit card is now available at NaCCRA.com. If you prefer to join/renew by check (payable to VaCCRA), the treasurer is Claudia Blake, GHBC apt. 646. Once you join, annual renewal notices (again for combined membership in both organizations) will be sent to you by NaCCRA. 

By-laws for the GHBC Chapter of VaCCRA are HERE. A purple notebook containing both State and Chapter VaCCRA documents is in the Resident Business Center.

CCRC ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS
NaCCRA (National Continuing Care Residents Association) was founded in 1999 by state organizations that felt there should be a national organization that could advocate at the national level with Congress and various national agencies. The purpose of NaCCRA is to advocate, educate and collaborate nationwide with residents, prospective residents, and allied organizations of continuing care retirement/life plan communities (CCRCs). NaCCRA has 9 state affiliates, Connecticut (CtCCRA), Florida (FLiCRA), Maryland (MaCCRA), Massachuttes (MLCRA), North Carolina (NorCCRA), New Jersey, (ORANJ), Pennsylvania (PARCR), Virginia (VaCCRA), and Washington (WaCCRA). Individual annual membership $25 (NaCCR) + $10 (VaCCRA).

VaCCRA (Virginia Continuing Care Residents Association) is an affiliate member of the NaCCRA. Established in 2002, VaCCRA is the only statewide educational & advocacy organization whose mission is to promote, protect, empower & better the lives of CCRC residents. Presently VaCCRA has seven state chapters. VaCCRA’s primary goals for 2020-2022 are: to improve communication & increase membership among its chapters & all Virginia CCRC’s; to enhance collaboration with other senior organizations (NaCCRA, AARP, LeadingAge); and to increase its interaction with state & federal legislators. Individual annual membership is $10 (VaCCRA + $25 (NaCCRA).

LeadingAge is a trade organization for the managers/owners of non-profit retirement communities. With 6000+ members representing businesses, consumer groups, foundations, and researchers, its stated focus is on education, advocacy, and applied research. Being well funded, with fulltime federal and state lobbyists, LeadingAge often opposes CCRC regulations that it thinks will reduce management’s autonomy and increase operational expenses. At the same time LeadingAge has asked NaCCRA to work with them on issues of mutual concern. Leading Age Virginia is an affiliate of Leading Age. VaCCRA has established a very positive and proactive relationship with Leading Age Virginia, joining forces to lobby state representatives for initiatives upon which we agree. Membership in Leading Age Virginia is free to Virginia residents of CCRCs.