Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025

Although titled the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act, the text is the Essential Caregivers Act of 2025. It would require Medicare and Medicaid nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities, and some inpatient rehabilitation facilities to let each resident name essential caregivers. When a government order restricts visits, these facilities would have to let at least one essential caregiver visit every day and at any time. A facility could deny a caregiver access for up to 7 days, or 14 with state approval, and could bar caregivers who do not follow written safety rules after a warning. State survey agencies would handle appeals and could fine facilities up to $5,000. The changes would take effect 2 years after enactment.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Tim Kaine Democrat sponsor
• 2 cosponsors