This amendment provides $250,000 the first year from the general fund to support the Eastern Virginia Care Transitions Partnership program, which is operated by Bay Aging, an Area Agency on Aging. This program works with patients discharged from hospitals in an effort to reduce readmissions and has been shown to be effective. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently eliminated their funding. The program needs temporary assistance to bridge the gap until the program is sustainable by generating income from private payers. Federal rules that penalize hospitals for readmissions within 30 days has created a need for this type of program.