Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 3491
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3491Labor and Employment
Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2025
INTRO DEC 16· LAST ACTION DEC 16
READING
17MIN
COSPONSORS
2
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it directly addresses the severe isolation and negative health impacts experienced by residents in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitation was often completely shut down. Many residents suffered significant mental and physical decline, and some even died prematurely, due to a lack of social connection, informal care, and advocacy from loved ones.
If this bill becomes law, it would legally protect a resident's right to crucial in-person support from designated "essential caregivers" during future emergencies, aiming to prevent a repeat of such widespread isolation. If it doesn't pass, facilities could again have the power to entirely restrict all visitor access during emergencies, potentially leading to similar detrimental health outcomes for vulnerable residents without the vital personal connection and care that family and friends provide.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires skilled nursing facilities and other specified care facilities to allow residents to designate "essential caregivers."
This gives residents and their families a formal and protected right to continued, in-person support from a loved one.
PROVISION 02
Ensures essential caregivers have access to residents at all times, including during emergencies when general visitation is restricted.
This prevents the severe isolation and health decline experienced by residents during past emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
PROVISION 03
Limits a facility's ability to deny access to an essential caregiver to very short, temporary periods (7-14 days) and mandates access for residents in end-of-life care or distress.
This provides a clear boundary for facilities and specifically protects the most vulnerable residents from being cut off.
PROVISION 04
Allows a resident's representative to designate an essential caregiver if the resident is unable to do so due to cognitive or mental disability.
This ensures that residents who cannot make their own choices still receive the benefit of an essential caregiver.
This bill matters because it directly addresses the severe isolation and negative health impacts experienced by residents in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitation was often completely shut down. Many residents suffered significant mental and physical decline, and some even died prematurely, due to a lack of social connection, informal care, and advocacy from loved ones.
If this bill becomes law, it would legally protect a resident's right to crucial in-person support from designated "essential caregivers" during future emergencies, aiming to prevent a repeat of such widespread isolation. If it doesn't pass, facilities could again have the power to entirely restrict all visitor access during emergencies, potentially leading to similar detrimental health outcomes for vulnerable residents without the vital personal connection and care that family and friends provide.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires skilled nursing facilities and other specified care facilities to allow residents to designate "essential caregivers."
This gives residents and their families a formal and protected right to continued, in-person support from a loved one.
high
Ensures essential caregivers have access to residents at all times, including during emergencies when general visitation is restricted.
This prevents the severe isolation and health decline experienced by residents during past emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
high
Limits a facility's ability to deny access to an essential caregiver to very short, temporary periods (7-14 days) and mandates access for residents in end-of-life care or distress.
This provides a clear boundary for facilities and specifically protects the most vulnerable residents from being cut off.
med
Allows a resident's representative to designate an essential caregiver if the resident is unable to do so due to cognitive or mental disability.
This ensures that residents who cannot make their own choices still receive the benefit of an essential caregiver.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Skilled Nursing Facility
A healthcare facility that offers around-the-clock nursing care and rehabilitation services for patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery.
Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled
A facility that provides health and rehabilitation services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or related conditions.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility
A facility where patients receive intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy after an illness, injury, or surgery to help them regain function.
Title XVIII of the Social Security Act
The part of the Social Security Act that created the Medicare program, which provides health insurance for people aged 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Title XIX of the Social Security Act
The part of the Social Security Act that established the Medicaid program, which provides health coverage to low-income individuals and families.
Resident Representative
A person authorized to make decisions or act on behalf of a resident in a care facility, especially if the resident is unable to do so themselves.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
DEC 16, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 16, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Waiver or Modification of Requirements pursuant to section 1135
A temporary suspension or change of certain federal rules, often used during emergencies, to allow healthcare providers more flexibility in how they operate.
