Bill
HR 1358
Establishes patients' right to in-person visitation in hospitals and care facilities, mandates clear policies and nondiscrimination, and empowers oversight during emergencies.
Status: Introduced in House
Primary sponsor: Rep. Jefferson Van Drew
Introduced: (recorded) May 25, 2025
Key recent actions: Referred to committees (Ways and Means; Energy and Commerce) on Feb 13, 2025; filed May 25, 2025; placed on Local & Consent and Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions calendars; laid before the House and recorded as adopted and reported enrolled on June 1, 2025. (Note: the provided timeline contains date inconsistencies—see “Procedural status” below.)
Overview / Purpose
- The bill title, No Patient Left Alone Act of 2025, signals an intent to protect or expand patients’ rights to in-person visitation, companionship, or access to family/caregivers while receiving health care (including during public health emergencies). The provided record does not include the bill text; the summary below describes likely objectives and typical provisions for legislation of this name and focus, and highlights who would be affected.
Key provisions (anticipated; based on bill title and common legislative approaches)
- Establish patients’ right to in-person visitation in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and long‑term care settings, including during infectious disease outbreaks, subject to narrowly drawn safety exceptions.
- Require health care facilities to adopt and post clear visitation policies, including criteria for any limitations (e.g., infection control, clinical instability), notice procedures, and an appeals or grievance process.
- Require nondiscrimination in visitation (e.g., without regard to relationship, sexual orientation, gender identity) and allow emotional-support or designated caregivers.
- Mandate staff training and designation of a visitation coordinator or patient advocate to assist families.
- Provide standards for exceptions (e.g., PPE availability, cohorting, testing) and require documentation of any restriction decision.
- Include enforcement mechanisms — such as civil remedies, administrative penalties, or tied conditions on participation in federal health programs (Medicare/Medicaid) — and possible federal guidance or funding to implement changes.
Who would be affected
- Patients in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, hospice and other inpatient or residential health settings.
- Family members, caregivers, and patient-designated supporters seeking in-person access.
- Health care facilities and administrators (responsible for policy changes, staff training, compliance).
- Federal health programs (if implementation or enforcement is tied to Medicare/Medicaid conditions of participation).
- State and local public health agencies (coordination during emergencies).
Procedural status & timeline (as provided)
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-25: Filed / Introduced in House (per header).
- 2025-05-27 to 2025-06-01: Referred to Local & Consent Calendars; considered in Local & Consent Calendars; placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Resolutions Calendar; laid before the House; adopted; nonrecord vote recorded in Journal; reported enrolled (all actions dated June 1, 2025).
Note: The sequence contains date inconsistencies (e.g., committee referral predating the listed introduction date). Readers should consult the official Congressional Record or Congress.gov for authoritative procedural status and the bill text.
Potential impacts and considerations
- If enacted, the bill could increase family presence and patient-centered care, improve mental and emotional outcomes for patients, and standardize visitation policies across facilities.
- Facilities may face operational and financial burdens to update policies, train staff, and implement infection‑control accommodations.
- Tension may arise between patient visitation rights and public-health/safety measures during outbreaks; the balance will depend on how exceptions and enforcement are defined in the bill text.
Where to find the full text
- The official bill text and amendment history should be consulted on Congress.gov or the House Clerk’s website to confirm precise provisions, funding, penalties, and definitions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
