Bill · H.R. 1683· House(119-HR-1683)
Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act
- Introduced
- 2/27/2025
- Last activity
- 2/27/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Michelle Fischbach
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act," aims to stop the Secretary of Health and Human Services from enforcing specific staffing rules for nursing facilities. It prohibits the implementation of a final rule regarding minimum staffing standards published on May 10, 2024, and prevents any similar rules from being created. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of an Advisory Panel on the Nursing Home Workforce. This panel will consist of 17 members, including various medical professionals and representatives from rural areas. The panel is tasked with meeting regularly to assess the workforce and report on issues such as shortages and regulatory effects.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill seeks to decrease regulatory burdens for nursing facilities, which can benefit smaller providers.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
The bill requires the advisory panel to provide real-time virtual access to meetings and publish transcripts and recordings publicly.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
The bill establishes a panel specifically tasked with assessing workforce shortages and access issues in rural and underserved areas.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Would people over 65 be better off under this?-5
The bill prohibits the enforcement of minimum staffing standards for nursing facilities, which could impact the quality of care for seniors.
Would retired people be better off under this?-5
The prohibition of minimum staffing standards may negatively impact the quality of care in nursing facilities used by retirees.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?-3
By prohibiting minimum staffing standards for Medicare-participating facilities, the bill may reduce the quality of care supported by Medicare funds.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Establishment of Expert Oversight: The bill creates an Advisory Panel on the Nursing Home Workforce to provide specialized insight into the industry. This panel includes professionals like registered nurses, licensed professional nurses, nurse aides, and physicians (Section 3(b)).
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Focus on Rural and Underserved Areas: The panel's composition and duties specifically include representation and assessment of rural and underserved areas (Section 3(b) and Section 3(c)(2)(A)). This may help address specific workforce shortages and barriers to access in those locations.
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Increased Transparency: The bill requires the Panel to provide public access to its meetings through real-time virtual access and published recordings and transcripts (Section 3(c)(1)(B)).
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Addressing Regulatory Burdens: The Panel is tasked with providing recommendations to the Secretary that include decreasing regulatory burdens for nursing facilities (Section 3(c)(2)(A)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Staffing Standards: The bill prohibits the Secretary from implementing, enforcing, or giving effect to the final rule regarding minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities (Section 2). This prevents the enforcement of the specific rules published on May 10, 2024.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Retirees-5Good For Seniors-5Good For Low Income Households-2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2Increases Medicaid Funding-3Increases Medicare Funding-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-1
- 2/27/2025
- 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.
- Introduced in House
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.