H.R. 9641 · In committee · Health

Essential Caregivers Act of 2026

Sponsor: Claudia Tenney (R-NY)

What it does

• Require Medicare skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities to allow residents to designate two essential caregivers.
• Allow designated essential caregivers in-person access to residents even during periods of otherwise restricted visitation.
• Permit facilities to limit essential caregiver access only in accordance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidance.
• Require essential caregivers to follow facility safety protocols that are no more restrictive than protocols for staff members.

Official summary

Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 This bill requires certain nursing and long-term care facilities to ensure residents have access to their designated essential caregivers during periods of restricted visitation. Specifically, the bill requires Medicare skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, as well as Medicaid nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, to allow residents to designate two essential caregivers and to allow these caregivers in-person access to residents even when visitation is otherwise restricted. Facilities may limit access of essential caregivers only in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as specified. Essential caregivers must agree to follow all safety protocols established by the facility, which may be no more restrictive than the protocols for staff.

Latest action

Jul 15, 2026: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.

Committee: House Ways and Means