H.R. 7106: Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act
This bill, titled the Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act
, aims to amend certain sections of the Social Security Act to improve the delivery of care in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The main goals of the bill are to streamline care delivery, update supervision requirements, and ensure that a broader range of healthcare providers can contribute to patient care in these facilities.
Key Provisions
Medicare Changes
- Certification of Extended Care Services: The bill allows for the certification of post-hospital extended care services to include healthcare providers working in accordance with state law, rather than being restricted to specific categories of providers.
- Supervision Requirements: The bill amends the supervision requirements in skilled nursing facilities to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to supervise care, in addition to physicians, based on state laws.
- Administration of Part B Services: The legislation expands eligible providers to include nurse practitioners and physician assistants for the administration of Medicare Part B services, streamlining the process and reducing physician dependency.
- Provision of Medical Services: It revises definitions to ensure that clinical nurse specialists can also provide medical services in collaboration with attending physicians.
- Residents’ Rights: The bill improves residents' rights by formally recognizing the roles of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists when they are involved in residents’ healthcare decisions.
Medicaid Changes
- Certification for Skilled Nursing and Intermediate Care Services: Similar to Medicare, the bill allows nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists to certify services in skilled nursing facilities, easing requirements regarding who can recertify care needs.
- Nursing Facility Services Supervision: It establishes that healthcare for residents must be provided under the supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, enhancing flexibility in supervision of care.
The overarching aim of these amendments is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of care in skilled nursing facilities by allowing more healthcare professionals to participate actively in patient care, ultimately improving the quality of service for residents.
Relevant Companies
- HCA Healthcare (HCA) - As one of the largest healthcare providers, changes in Medicare and Medicaid regulations could directly affect their operations, especially in skilled nursing care facilities.
- Amedisys (AMED) - This company provides home health care and may be influenced by adjustments in healthcare provider certifications and supervision rules.
- Pfizer (PFE) - Pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer could be indirectly affected due to changes in medication administration protocols in skilled nursing settings.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jan. 15, 2026 | Introduced in House |
| Jan. 15, 2026 | Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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. |
Corporate Lobbying
0 companies lobbying
None found.
* Note that there can be significant delays in lobbying disclosures, and our data may be incomplete.
