Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act

This bill, titled the "Protecting Rural Seniors' Access to Care Act," aims to prevent the implementation of a specific final rule issued by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The rule, published in May 2024, concerns minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities . The legislation explicitly prohibits the Secretary from enforcing or giving effect to this rule or any substantially similar regulation. In addition to the prohibition, the bill mandates the establishment of an Advisory Panel on the Nursing Home Workforce within 60 days of enactment. This 17-member panel will be appointed by the Secretary and comprise diverse stakeholders, including nurses, physicians, nurse aides, and administrators, with specific representation for rural areas . The Panel's primary duties include meeting at least twice annually with public access and submitting comprehensive reports. Its initial report will assess the state of the nursing home workforce, focusing on shortages and access barriers in rural and underserved areas . It will also analyze the impact of existing regulations on the workforce and provide recommendations to strengthen it, including proposals for decreasing regulatory burdens and increasing financial investments in training.