Ways and Means Committee Votes to Advance Larson-led Essential Caregivers Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and every member of the House Ways and Means Committee voted to advance Larson and Senator Richard Blumenthal’s Essential Caregivers Act to the House floor on a bipartisan, unanimous basis. Larson and Blumenthal introduced their bill last year with Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), which would allow residents in nursing homes and similar facilities to designate two loved ones as “essential caregivers,” so everyone has in-person access to a loved one, including when visitations are restricted due to a declared emergency. These caregivers would maintain visitation rights to provide care and support to residents, while following the same health protocols as staff.
View Rep. Larson’s full remarks here.
“I have heard heartbreaking stories from constituents who were separated from their loved ones in long-term care during the pandemic, even families forced to miss a parent or grandparent’s final moments,” said Larson. “We can never allow the isolation that took place to happen again. That’s why Senator Blumenthal and I teamed up with our Republican colleague, Claudia Tenney from New York, to guarantee visiting access during future emergencies and also protect the safety of nursing home residents. I want to thank my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee for today’s strong, bipartisan vote to advance the Essential Caregivers Act. Congress owes it to the steadfast advocates who have bravely come forward with their stories to pass this bill.”
“Today’s bipartisan vote by the Ways and Means Committee is an important step toward ensuring we never repeat the tragic, isolation nursing home residents faced during the pandemic," said Senator Blumenthal. "This bill establishes a vital lifeline by guaranteeing access to essential caregivers when visitations are restricted, giving nursing home residents an invaluable connection to their loved ones. Our work is not finished, but I’m grateful to Representatives Larson and Tenney, Senator Cornyn and our bipartisan coalition for their invaluable collaboration as we work to pass this bill and continue efforts to protect both public health and human dignity."
The Essential Caregivers Act seeks to prevent a repeat of the prolonged isolation and lack of care that long-term care residents suffered from during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, Larson and Blumenthal’s bill ensures that in any future emergency, at least one designated essential caregiver is able to access their loved ones in a manner consistent with all applicable health and safety protocols. The bill also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to set clear and fair guidelines for essential caregivers to enter facilities during an emergency that protect the safety of facility staff and residents.