The Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 amends the Social Security Act to require various healthcare facilities to establish an essential caregivers program . This program ensures that residents in nursing facilities, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities can receive in-person visits from designated caregivers, even when general visitation is suspended. Under this program, residents can elect up to two essential caregivers who will have access to them. Facilities must allow residents to amend their caregiver selections at any time, and for residents with cognitive impairments, a representative can make this designation. An essential caregiver is defined as an individual who agrees to follow facility safety and infection control protocols, which must be clearly written and no more restrictive than those for staff. While facilities can implement certain limitations, such as denying access for the first seven days of a visitation suspension (provided audio-visual access is offered), they cannot deny or limit access for residents receiving end-of-life care . Other permissible limitations include denying access for caregivers displaying symptoms of serious infectious disease or failing to follow safety protocols, and allowing only one caregiver at a time. The bill also mandates a prioritized complaint resolution process for violations of caregiver access, requiring notification of investigation outcomes within three days. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with promulgating regulations within 18 months, and the provisions will take effect one year after enactment. This legislation aims to safeguard residents' rights to receive support from their chosen caregivers, particularly during challenging periods like public health emergencies.