A Democratic bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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
The "Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Care Act" aims to amend the Social Security Act regarding nursing facility requirements. It establishes a process for the Secretary to disapprove nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs at facilities that receive significant penalties for substandard care and fail to correct those issues. These disapprovals can last for up to two years but may be rescinded if specific criteria are met. The bill also updates how Medicare and Medicaid providers can access the National Practitioner Data Bank for background checks. Finally, it adjusts how certain prohibitions apply to facilities.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill enhances the quality of care and oversight for seniors in nursing and skilled nursing facilities.
- Scored +5
Would retired people be better off under this?
The bill provides better protections and quality standards for those residing in nursing facilities.
- Scored +2
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill aims to improve the quality of care in nursing facilities through stricter oversight and better background checks.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Quality Oversight: The Secretary can disapprove training programs at facilities that receive a civil monetary penalty of at least $10,697 for substandard quality of care if those deficiencies are not corrected (Section 2(a)(C)(i)(I) and Section 2(b)(C)(i)(I)). This holds facilities accountable for the quality of care they provide.
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Path to Compliance: Facilities have a way to reverse a disapproval by demonstrating that all deficiencies have been remedied, they have not had related deficiencies in the prior 2 years, and the penalty did not result in immediate jeopardy (Section 2(a)(C)(ii) and Section 2(b)(C)(ii)).
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Enhanced Background Checks: The bill expands the ability of Medicare and Medicaid providers, suppliers, and those under a State plan to access the National Practitioner Data Bank to conduct employee background checks (Section 3).
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? — The bill provides better protections and quality standards for those residing in nursing facilities. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill enhances the quality of care and oversight for seniors in nursing and skilled nursing facilities.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill aims to improve the quality of care in nursing facilities through stricter oversight and better background checks. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill increases oversight of Medicaid-funded nursing facilities to ensure quality of care. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill increases oversight of Medicare-funded nursing facilities to ensure quality of care.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill amends the Social Security Act to improve the quality and safety of nursing facility care.
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Angus KingIndependent · Maine
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina