Essential Caregivers Act (filed December 16, 2025)
For several years, Friends of Residents in Long Term Care has supported federal legislation called The Essential Caregivers Act. The Essential Caregivers Act restores rights from the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 by allowing at least one resident-designated family or friend "essential caregiver" in-person access to a long-term care resident during a declared emergency. We are thrilled to share that this bipartisan supported legislation has been introduced again.
Information about the legislation can be found:
- One pager: Essential Caregivers Act
- Press Release: Essential Caregivers Act Filed, December 16, 2025
- Bill text can be found here.
Nursing Home Staffing Standards (December 2025 Update)
On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule rescinding part of the minimum staffing rule in nursing homes, the most significant increase in protections for nursing home residents in decades. Learn more from the National Consumer Voice.
Additionally, the Long Term Care Community Coalition issued a response to the repeal. Click here to view their response.
Previous information shared about staffing standards:
In April 2023, President Biden released an Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers. Public comments were received (including comments from Friends of Residents in Long Term Care: Click here to view submitted comments from FOR!) and a final rule was established in April 2024. Read more from The National Consumer Voice.
Take Action: Urge your member of Congress to Support Safe Staffing in Nursing Homes
AARP Action Alert: Congress MUST protect vulnerable seniors
AARP One Pager: Support the Nursing Home Staffing Rule