Install
Essential Caregivers Act of 2026
To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require certain facilities to permit visits from an essential caregiver during certain periods.
- Introduced
- Committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became law
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.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Actions
- Jul 15, 2026 Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
- Jul 15, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 13, 2026 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.
- Jul 13, 2026 Introduced in House
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