Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025
Congress would require nursing homes to allow essential caregivers even during emergency visit bans
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- Requires certain care facilities paid by Medicare or Medicaid to let residents name “essential caregivers,” even when normal visits are restricted.
- During an emergency lockdown, facilities must allow at least 1 essential caregiver to visit every day at any time, unless a limited exception applies.
- A facility can temporarily deny access only for up to 7 days (or up to 14 days with State approval), but must still allow visits for end-of-life care or a resident in decline or distress.
- If a caregiver is blocked for breaking safety rules, the facility must warn them in writing first, explain any later denial within 24 hours, and offer an appeal path.
- Directs Health and Human Services to write rules and create a formal appeal process; changes would start 2 years after the bill becomes law.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articles
Larson, Blumenthal, Tenney, and Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Rights of Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities
Announces introduction of the Essential Caregivers Act to ensure at least one designated essential caregiver can access residents during declared emergencies when visitation is restricted, with CMS guidance required.
Blumenthal, Tenney, Cornyn, & Larson Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Rights of Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities
Press release describing the Essential Caregivers Act proposal to guarantee in-person access to a loved one/essential caregiver for long-term care residents during declared emergencies, with CMS guidelines.
AMAC Supports Bill to Protect the Well-Being of Long-Term Care Facilities
AMAC Action letter backing S.3492 and companion H.R.6766, arguing the legislation would protect residents’ rights to in-person access to at least one essential caregiver during emergencies with restricted visitation.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.