Summary of HR 6766

Overview

• Bill Number: HR 6766
  
• Title: To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities to permit essential caregivers access during any period in which regular visitation is restricted.
  
• Status: Introduced in the House
  
• Introduced: December 16, 2025
  
• Classification: Bill

Purpose and intent

HR 6766 seeks to ensure that certain long-term care and inpatient facilities allow access to essential caregivers whenever regular visitation is restricted. The bill targets facilities covered by the Social Security Act’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, aiming to safeguard connections between residents/patients and their designated essential caregivers during times when standard visits are limited or paused.

Key provisions (as described)

• Scope of coverage: Applies to:
  • Skilled nursing facilities
  • Nursing facilities
  • Intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled (ICF/ID)
  • Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
• Access requirement: Facilities must permit essential caregivers to visit during any period when regular visitation is restricted.
• Legal framework: The measure would amend Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to codify this access requirement.
• Definition of essential caregiver: The bill establishes or relies on a designation of individuals as essential caregivers, who would be granted access rights during visitation restrictions. (Note: precise statutory definitions would appear in the bill text.)

Who is affected

• Facilities: Operators and administrators of skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, ICF/ID facilities, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities that participate in Medicare and/or Medicaid.
• Residents/Patients and families: Individuals residing in or receiving care in these facilities, and their designated essential caregivers, who would gain guaranteed access during visitation restrictions.
• Federal program administrators: CMS and related agencies would implement, administer, and enforce the access requirement as a condition of Medicare/Medicaid participation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

• Committee referrals: The bill was referred on 2025-12-16 to:
  • Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Committee on Ways and Means
  • For a period to be determined by the Speaker, on provisions falling within each committee’s jurisdiction.
• Next steps (typical process): If advanced, the bill would move through committee markups, potential amendments, and then floor consideration in the House. If approved, it would proceed to the Senate (and ultimately to the President for signature or veto) per standard legislative process.

Potential impact and considerations

• Resident well-being and safety: By guaranteeing access to essential caregivers during restrictions, the measure could support ongoing family involvement, advocacy, and emotional support for residents.
• Facility operations: Institutions may need to modify visitation policies, staffing plans, and visitor management protocols to comply with the new requirement, potentially affecting scheduling and resource allocation.
• Costs and enforcement: Implementation could entail administrative costs; enforcement mechanisms would be defined in the text, with compliance tied to Medicare/Medicaid participation.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize stakeholders (patients, families, facility administrators, policymakers) or compare it to existing visitation guidance and related federal rules.