Bill would guarantee nursing home visits even during outbreak lockdowns
In markupH.R. 9641Latest action
Sponsor: Claudia Tenney · Representative · NY
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Official title: Essential Caregivers Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The Essential Caregivers Act would let care facility residents keep in-person visits from designated caregivers during lockdowns.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill guarantees nursing home and long-term care residents the right to name up to two "essential caregivers" who can visit in person even during facility-wide visitation shutdowns. Facilities can briefly limit visits for seven days if video calls are offered, and can deny sick or rule-breaking caregivers, but end-of-life patients can never be denied visits.
Who does it affect?
Affects residents of nursing homes, long-term care hospitals, rehab facilities, and intellectual disability care facilities that take Medicare or Medicaid, plus their families and the facilities' staff.
Why does it matter?
Facilities would need to update policies, training, and complaint-handling procedures, and the government could no longer waive these visitation rights during public health emergencies.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 13, 2026
- House committeeYou are here · Jul 15, 2026
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.