Timothy Kaine (D-VA)
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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 bill is called the Essential Caregivers Act of 2025. It requires certain care facilities, like nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, to let residents have access to designated essential caregivers even when regular visits are restricted. Residents or their representatives can choose these caregivers, who must follow facility safety protocols that are no stricter than those for staff. Facilities can only block these caregivers for very limited amounts of time, except for residents in end-of-life care or distress. The bill also sets up an appeals process through the State survey agency if a facility denies access improperly. Finally, facilities that break these rules can face corrective action plans and financial penalties of up to $5,000.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +8
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The legislation directly benefits elderly residents in nursing facilities by preventing prolonged isolation and ensuring continuous access to family and advocates.
- Scored +8
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees living in skilled nursing and assisted care facilities are protected from total isolation during emergency restrictions.
- Scored +7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Explicitly includes intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, ensuring their right to essential caregivers.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Care facility operators face potential regulatory burdens, corrective action plans, and financial penalties of up to $5,000 for non-compliance.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Caregivers During Emergencies: Under sections 3(a) and 3(b), skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities must recognize a resident's right to designate and have access to essential caregivers every day and at any time, even during emergency periods when regular visitation is restricted. This ensures residents will not be completely isolated from their loved ones who provide supplemental care and advocacy.
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Protection for Vulnerable Residents: Sections 3(a) and 3(b) state that facilities must allow access to any resident who is in end-of-life care or in decline or distress. This ensures that people who are suffering or passing away will not be blocked from seeing their chosen caregivers.
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Clear Appeal Rights: Sections 3(a) and 3(b) establish an appeals process where residents and caregivers can challenge a facility's decision to deny access. State survey agencies must investigate these appeals quickly, and the facility carries the burden of proof to show the caregiver broke their safety agreement.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential for Initial Access Denial: Under sections 3(a) and 3(b), facilities are allowed to deny an essential caregiver access to a resident for an initial period of up to 7 days during an emergency visitation restriction. With state health department approval, this denial can be extended for one additional period of not longer than 7 days, meaning a resident could potentially be separated from their caregiver for up to 14 total days.
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Burdensome Safety Agreements: Under sections 3(a) and 3(b), an essential caregiver must agree to follow all safety protocols established by the facility. If the caregiver fails to comply with this agreement, they can be given a written warning, and if they fail to fix the issue, they can be denied access to the resident.
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 living in skilled nursing and assisted care facilities are protected from total isolation during emergency restrictions. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The legislation directly benefits elderly residents in nursing facilities by preventing prolonged isolation and ensuring continuous access to family and advocates. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Explicitly includes intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, ensuring their right to essential caregivers. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans residing in eligible inpatient rehabilitation or nursing facilities benefit from the mandated access protections for essential caregivers. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income individuals relying on Medicaid-funded nursing facilities are guaranteed essential caregiver protections during emergencies. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class families with relatives in care facilities benefit from guaranteed access rights and structured appeal procedures. Would business owners be better off under this? — Care facility operators face potential regulatory burdens, corrective action plans, and financial penalties of up to $5,000 for non-compliance.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Provides residents and caregivers with a structured appeals process and places the burden of proof on facilities during disputes regarding access. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes federal mandates and administrative frameworks for care facilities regarding essential caregiver access and state survey agency appeals. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires care facilities to provide prompt written explanations and appeal options when denying essential caregiver access.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation guarantees that vulnerable residents in care facilities maintain vital access to designated essential caregivers during emergency visitation restrictions. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — By ensuring continued access to essential caregivers during restrictions, the bill helps mitigate depression, loneliness, and mental decline associated with isolation.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill protects individuals with intellectual and cognitive disabilities residing in care facilities by guaranteeing their right to essential caregivers and establishing robust appeal rights.
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia