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Support The Essential Caregivers Act (H.R. 3733)

August 04, 2021

The Essential Caregivers Act (H.R. 3733) is bipartisan legislation that gives residents of nursing homes the right to access essential caregivers (ECs) during any public health emergency.

An essential caregiver is a person, designated by the resident, who can enter the facility, even when visitation is shut down during a public health emergency, to provide support, assistance, and companionship to the resident. Very often, this person is a family member.

Each resident can select up to two essential caregivers. These visits will be guaranteed as long as the essential caregiver follows all the safety and infection protocols required of staff so they do not pose any increased risk to resident safety. Essential caregivers who refuse to follow the same protocols will be denied entry.

This Act is critical to resident well-being because it:

• Ensures residents receive critical support and assistance;
• Permits those serving as ECs to monitor residents' care; and
• Guarantees daily visits of sufficient length to benefit/support residents even during a public health emergency.

We encourage you to share this brief with friends and family members and to contact your members of Congress to ask them to support the Essential Caregivers Act!

Read the issue brief.