summary
Introduced
12/16/2025
12/16/2025
In Committee
12/16/2025
12/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A BILL To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities to permit essential caregivers access during any period in which regular visitation is restricted.
AI Summary
This bill, the Essential Caregivers Act of 2025, aims to ensure that residents of skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities have continued access to designated "essential caregivers" even when regular visitation is restricted, such as during public health emergencies. An essential caregiver is defined as an individual designated by or on behalf of a resident who agrees to follow the facility's safety protocols, which cannot be more restrictive than those for staff. The bill mandates that these facilities must allow at least one essential caregiver daily access to provide assistance, with limited exceptions for denial of access (up to 7 days, or 14 with state approval) unless the resident is in end-of-life care or in decline. It also establishes a process for residents and caregivers to appeal denied access, placing the burden of proof on the facility to demonstrate a violation of the agreement. The Act amends titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, which govern Medicare and Medicaid, respectively, and will take effect two years after enactment.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (95)
Claudia Tenney (R)*,
Gabe Amo (D),
Don Bacon (R),
Nanette Barragán (D),
Aaron Bean (R),
Suzanne Bonamici (D),
Julia Brownley (D),
Kat Cammack (R),
Salud Carbajal (D),
Judy Chu (D),
Juan Ciscomani (R),
Jim Costa (D),
Joe Courtney (D),
Jason Crow (D),
Sharice Davids (D),
Don Davis (D),
Rosa DeLauro (D),
Chris Deluzio (D),
Debbie Dingell (D),
Julie Fedorchak (R),
Randy Feenstra (R),
Shomari Figures (D),
Randy Fine (R),
Brad Finstad (R),
Brian Fitzpatrick (R),
Maxwell Frost (D),
Andrew Garbarino (R),
Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D),
Jared Golden (D),
Jimmy Gomez (D),
Adelita Grijalva (D),
Josh Harder (D),
Jahana Hayes (D),
French Hill (R),
Jim Himes (D),
Ashley Hinson (R),
John James (R),
Mike Kelly (R),
Robin Kelly (D),
Timothy Kennedy (D),
Young Kim (R),
Nick LaLota (R),
Nick Langworthy (R),
John Larson (D),
George Latimer (D),
Mike Lawler (R),
Susie Lee (D),
Ted Lieu (D),
Anna Luna (R),
Nicole Malliotakis (R),
Tracey Mann (R),
John Mannion (D),
Sarah McBride (D),
Kristen McDonald Rivet (D),
Grace Meng (D),
Dan Meuser (R),
Carol Miller (R),
Cory Mills (R),
Joe Neguse (D),
Burgess Owens (R),
Jimmy Panetta (D),
Chris Pappas (D),
Scott Peters (D),
Brittany Pettersen (D),
Mark Pocan (D),
Hal Rogers (R),
Mike Rogers (R),
Deborah Ross (D),
John Rutherford (R),
María Salazar (R),
Hillary Scholten (D),
Terri Sewell (D),
Lateefah Simon (D),
Adrian Smith (R),
Lloyd Smucker (R),
Darren Soto (D),
Melanie Stansbury (D),
Elise Stefanik (R),
Greg Steube (R),
Tom Suozzi (D),
Shri Thanedar (D),
G.T. Thompson (R),
Mike Thompson (D),
Tom Tiffany (R),
Rashida Tlaib (D),
Jill Tokuda (D),
Ritchie Torres (D),
Lori Trahan (D),
David Valadao (R),
Derrick Van Orden (R),
Gabe Vasquez (D),
Bruce Westerman (R),
Joe Wilson (R),
Rob Wittman (R),
Rudy Yakym (R),
Last Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. (on 12/16/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6766/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr6766/BILLS-119hr6766ih.pdf |
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