A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation establishes a five-year skilled-nursing-facility-at-home program under Medicare starting January 1, 2027. The program allows eligible entities like nursing facilities and hospitals to provide skilled nursing care directly in a patient's home. It gives the Secretary authority to waive certain standard facility requirements and telehealth restrictions to make at-home care possible. Participating entities must meet strict patient safety, staffing, and care standards while ensuring the standard of care matches that of a physical facility. The bill also protects patients by making participation strictly voluntary and prohibiting the reliance on unpaid family caregivers. Finally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to conduct a comprehensive study and analysis of the program by September 30, 2030.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Medicare beneficiaries, primarily seniors, gain the voluntary option to receive skilled nursing facility care at home.
- Scored +8
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees on Medicare are provided voluntary access to high-standard skilled nursing services in their residences.
- Scored +8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill establishes a skilled-nursing-facility-at-home program under Medicare, expanding access to necessary care in a home setting.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Patient Choice and Comfort: Under Section 2 (adding Section 1866H(g)(1)), individuals eligible for skilled nursing care can voluntarily choose to receive those services in the comfort of their own homes rather than a traditional facility, provided they give informed consent and retain the right to revoke consent or transfer to a facility at any time.
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Protection for Unpaid Caregivers: Under Section 2 (adding Section 1866H(g)(3)), participating entities are explicitly prohibited from conditioning a patient's receipt of home-based services on the availability of an unpaid family caregiver, and they cannot shift service responsibilities or financial costs onto unpaid caregivers.
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Comprehensive Care Teams: Under Section 2 (adding Section 1866H(e)(1)(E)), patients enrolled in the program receive services through an individualized interdisciplinary plan of care that covers necessary nursing therapy, physician oversight, pharmacy, laboratory work, imaging, medical equipment, medical supplies, nutrition, and social services.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Safety Risks of Home Environments: Under Section 2 (adding Section 1866H(e)(1)(I)), the text acknowledges that serious adverse events can occur in a home setting, requiring entities to report unexpected deaths, emergency transfers, medication errors, falls with injury, and missed visits to the Secretary.
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Disruption of Care Transitions: Under Section 2 (adding Section 1866H(h)(2)), if an entity determines that a patient can no longer be safely cared for at home, the individual must be promptly transferred to a traditional skilled nursing facility, which could cause unwanted disruption for the patient.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees on Medicare are provided voluntary access to high-standard skilled nursing services in their residences. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Medicare beneficiaries, primarily seniors, gain the voluntary option to receive skilled nursing facility care at home. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Individuals with disabilities requiring skilled nursing care can receive comprehensive interdisciplinary services at home. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income Medicare beneficiaries gain access to alternative care settings without financial burdens shifted to unpaid caregivers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class Medicare beneficiaries benefit from increased flexibility and choice in receiving skilled nursing care. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans enrolled in Medicare can utilize the home-based skilled nursing program.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes a skilled-nursing-facility-at-home program under Medicare, expanding access to necessary care in a home setting. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill mandates a comprehensive study and evaluation by the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding program outcomes and costs. Does this help veterans get medical care? — Veterans who are Medicare beneficiaries may benefit from expanded home-based skilled nursing options.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires robust reporting of adverse events and a detailed study on program performance and quality.
- 11/12/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan