119th Congress · House bill · Last action Jul 15, 2026
H.R. 9641IntroducedHealth
Essential Caregivers Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Tenney, Claudia (R-NY)80 cosponsorsIntroduced Jul 13, 2026
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In plain English
Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) sponsored a bill requiring Medicare skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to allow residents to each designate two essential caregivers who have in-person access even when the facility restricts general visitation. Essential caregivers must follow all safety protocols established by the facility, though these protocols cannot be more restrictive than those required of facility staff. Facilities may only limit essential caregiver access according to guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The bill passed committee on a unanimous 38-0 vote.
Generated by ThePolitibase from the bill text and CRS summary. Read the official text →
Note: the official CRS summary for this bill was written on 2026-07-13, but the bill text was revised on 2026-07-13T04:00:00Z. Provisions may have been added since the summary was written — the section list above reflects the current text.
Where it is in the process
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Introduced
Jul 13
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House committee
Jul 15
3
House floor
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4
Senate
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5
Signed
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What happens next: Awaiting committee assignment or hearings in the House.
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Sponsor
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Cosponsors (80)
JR
MR
JR
AR
GR
BR
SR
+73
41 Democrats, 39 Republicans (of 80 shown).
Activity timeline
Jul 15
Jul 15
Jul 15
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
Jul 15
Jul 15
Jul 15
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 13
Jul 13
Jul 13
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.
Jul 13
Jul 13
Jul 13
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.
Jul 13
Jul 13
Jul 13
Introduced in House
Jul 13
Jul 13
Jul 13
Introduced in House
Read the bill text
Official text via Congress.gov. Opens in a new tab.
Full action log
All 6 recorded actions since introduction · Source: Congress.gov
Jul 15
HOUSEOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 38 - 0.
Jul 15
HOUSECommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 13
HOUSEReferred 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.
Jul 13
HOUSEReferred 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.
Jul 13
Introduced in House
Jul 13
Introduced in House
All 80 cosponsors
41 Democrats · 39 Republicans
Democrats (41)
Larson, John B.CT-01
Craig, AngieMN-02
Olszewski, JohnnyMD-02
Frost, MaxwellFL-10
Tlaib, RashidaMI-12
Vasquez, GabeNM-02
Suozzi, Thomas R.NY-03
Dean, MadeleinePA-04
Walkinshaw, James R.VA-11
Hayes, JahanaCT-05
Grijalva, Adelita S.AZ-07
Davis, Donald G.NC-01
Morelle, Joseph D.NY-25
Mannion, John W.NY-22
DeLauro, Rosa L.CT-03
Bonamici, SuzanneOR-01
Pocan, MarkWI-02
Himes, James A.CT-04
Lee, SusieNV-03
Bynum, Janelle S.OR-05
Courtney, JoeCT-02
Levin, MikeCA-49
Chu, JudyCA-28
Dingell, DebbieMI-06
Latimer, GeorgeNY-16
Wilson, Frederica S.FL-24
Gillen, LauraNY-04
Kelly, Robin L.IL-02
Soto, DarrenFL-09
Kennedy, Timothy M.NY-26
Salinas, AndreaOR-06
Hoyle, Val T.OR-04
Peters, Scott H.CA-50
Pettersen, BrittanyCO-07
Pingree, ChellieME-01
Stevens, Haley M.MI-11
Republicans (39)
Carey, MikeOH-15
Bergman, JackMI-01
Thompson, GlennPA-15
Franklin, ScottFL-18
Westerman, BruceAR-04
Bean, AaronFL-04
Steube, W. GregoryFL-17
Fuller, ClayGA-14
Fulcher, RussID-01
Lawler, MichaelNY-17
Harrigan, PatNC-10
Balderson, TroyOH-12
Moore, Blake D.UT-01
Wittman, Robert J.VA-01
Biggs, SheriSC-03
Mann, TraceyKS-01
Alford, MarkMO-04
James, JohnMI-10
Yakym, RudyIN-02
Finstad, BradMN-01
LaHood, DarinIL-16
Guest, MichaelMS-03
Kim, YoungCA-40
Miller, Carol D.WV-01
Kelly, TrentMS-01
Fine, RandyFL-06
Kelly, MikePA-16
Womack, SteveAR-03
Aderholt, Robert B.AL-04
Norman, RalphSC-05
Luna, Anna PaulinaFL-13
Palmer, Gary J.AL-06
Hill, J. FrenchAR-02
Joyce, JohnPA-13
Joyce, David P.OH-14
Houchin, ErinIN-09
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