H.R. 9641 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
Essential Caregivers Act of 2026
Cosponsors: 72 (35 D, 37 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-08
Introduced: 2026-07-13
Latest action (2026-07-15): Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
What H.R. 9641 does, in plain terms
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.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
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