Long-Term Care & Nursing Homes

Section 2 establishes a Commission on Long-Term Care to study and make recommendations on long-term care coverage, financing, workforce, and related issues, which could lead to policies benefiting long-term care providers.

Section 2(a) adds a long-term care pharmacy supply fee for specified prescriptions dispensed by long-term care pharmacies to enrollees in plan years 2026 and 2027, providing a direct payment benefit to long-term care pharmacies. Section 2(b) provides subsidies to PDP sponsors and MA organizations equal to the aggregate supply fees paid, further supporting the long-term care pharmacy sector.

Section 3 extends the limitation on certain pension payments to veterans admitted to nursing facilities from November 30, 2031 to January 31, 2032, which benefits nursing home operators by allowing continued pension payments for a longer period.

Section 2(b) amends the National Housing Act to replace 'the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled' with 'individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities' in mortgage insurance provisions for nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, and board and care homes, which benefits long-term care providers by updating terminology without changing coverage.

Section 2(a) directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide direct payment to cremation providers for direct cremation designated by veterans prior to death. This benefits cremation providers, which are part of the long-term care and funeral services industry, by creating a new payment stream from the VA for services that may otherwise be paid out-of-pocket or through other benefits.

Title I includes $3,000,000 for grants for loan loss reserve funds and technical assistance for small dollar loan programs under section 122 of Public Law 103-325, which can support long-term care providers serving elderly populations, indirectly benefiting the long-term care industry.

Section 2(b)(2)(B)(ii) amends Section 373(c)(1) of the Older Americans Act to specify that services under a State program shall be provided to family caregivers, including respite care and supplemental services for caregivers providing care to older individuals, which directly benefits long-term care providers and home health agencies by expanding eligible populations and funding for caregiver support services.

Section 664 requires a report on long-term care physical infrastructure needs of the VA, which could lead to increased funding and support for long-term care providers.

Section 2 findings (3) discusses providers of home- and community-based services experiencing difficulty hiring and retaining direct support professionals, which could include long-term care facilities, potentially benefiting them through a separate occupational category for direct support professionals.

Section 2 highlights the importance of direct support professionals in providing assistance with activities of independent daily living, which is a key aspect of long-term care services.

Section 2(a) extends medical care coverage for caregivers designated as primary providers of personal care services for veterans, including during the 180-day period following removal of designation, which would increase utilization of long-term care services for veterans requiring personal care.

Section 2(a) protects VA funding, which includes support for long-term care services provided to veterans, thereby benefiting long-term care providers that serve veteran populations.

Section 3(a) amends Section 1710A to require licensed physical or occupational therapists to conduct falls risk assessments and provide fall prevention services for individuals in nursing homes who have fallen or are at risk, increasing demand for therapy services in long-term care settings.

Section 2(a)(5) requires reporting on veterans who received long term care, including demographic information, average copayments, types of care, and funding levels for State homes, which will increase oversight and potentially lead to better funding and standards for long-term care providers.

The WISeR model targeted prior authorization for services that could include post-acute and rehabilitation care often provided in long-term care settings. Prohibiting its implementation reduces regulatory pressure on these providers, constituting a benefit.

Section 206(d)(1)(A) requires agencies to include medical materials (including drugs, devices, and biological products) in supply chain security plans, which directly supports long-term care facilities that rely on such supplies for resident care during emergencies.

Section 215 ensures access to lifesaving non-congregate sheltering without requiring credit cards or security deposits, which benefits long-term care providers by facilitating safer discharge planning and transitional housing for elderly and disabled individuals post-disaster.

Section 2(a)(e)(1) includes 'nursing home care' in the mission of VISNs, requiring collaboration to provide such care, which benefits long-term care providers through potential contracts and referrals.

Division B, Title III, Section 7060(d) provides funding for disability programs in developing countries, which includes long-term care services for people with disabilities, benefiting long-term care providers.

Section 7 adds a network adequacy standard requiring MA organizations to provide adequate access to long-term care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2028, directly increasing demand and access for long-term care providers.

Section 2(a) includes staff-assisted home dialysis respite care furnished in a patient's home (excluding skilled nursing facilities), which may reduce reliance on long-term care facilities for dialysis patients, but also creates new service opportunities for home health providers within long-term care.

$1,061,930,000 for housing for the elderly (Section 202) directly supports seniors needing long-term care services, reducing pressure on nursing homes and enabling aging in place, which benefits long-term care providers by expanding demand for home- and community-based services.

Section 2(a)(2)(B)(iii) includes assisted living and nursing facilities as settings for training-related community-based programs, and Section 2(b)(2)(C) includes extended care facilities in service rotations for physician training, directly supporting long-term care providers.

Section 5 establishes a state option for coordinated care through a health home for pregnant and postpartum women, which includes postpartum care up to 365 days—potentially overlapping with long-term care services for postpartum recovery, benefiting providers in that sector.

Section 2 provides funding for geriatrics education and training programs, which directly supports long-term care providers (nursing homes, assisted living, home health) that require geriatrics-trained staff.

Section 101(a)(1) includes 'extended care services, excluding nursing home care' in the eligibility standards for community care, which could expand access to long-term care services for veterans, benefiting providers in this industry.

Section 2(a)(5)(A)(i) includes evaluation of home- and community-based programs, and Section 2(a)(5)(A)(iii) recommends pilot programs for basic home modifications to reduce falls, which could expand services in long-term care and home health settings.

Section 3(g) authorizes the Secretary to establish and maintain a National Resource Center that will provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to covered entities, which include long-term care providers receiving federal funds under titles IV, XIX, or XX of the Social Security Act and involved in child welfare services. This represents a benefit through federal support for compliance and service improvements.

The bill includes home health aides, companions, and homemakers furnished through nurse registries as recognized providers under the Veterans Community Care Program, directly benefiting long-term care and home health agencies.

Section 3(a) amends Section 1710A to require falls risk assessments and fall prevention services by licensed physical or occupational therapists for individuals in nursing homes who have fallen or are at risk, extending care services and creating demand for long-term care providers to implement these services.

Section 3(b)(2) permits care through individually employed caregivers or home health agencies, expanding services that overlap with long-term care providers for veterans with spinal cord injuries.

Section 8 amends the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to allow registration fees for transplant candidates, which could increase access to transplants for long-term care patients needing organ transplants, indirectly supporting long-term care providers.

Section 3(c)(1)(A) includes planning for physical health treatment and behavioral health treatment, including substance use disorder treatment and recovery services, which may involve long-term care providers. The expansion of Medicaid coverage to inmates pending disposition of charges could increase demand for long-term care services, particularly for those with chronic conditions or needing post-acute care.

Section 2208 extends acute hospital care at home waiver authorities, which benefits long-term care providers by expanding home-based care options.

Section 2(i)(1)(B) and (C) define eligible veterans as those with mobility issues, mental health conditions, or other disabilities where a service dog assists in independent living, which aligns with services supporting long-term care and home health, potentially increasing referrals or coordination with long-term care providers.

The Healthy Start Initiative includes home visiting and perinatal support services that may be delivered by home health care providers, which are part of the long-term care industry; the reauthorized funding represents a benefit to these service providers.

Section 3(a)(2)(B)(iv) includes partnering with health care facilities, nurse-managed health clinics, community health centers, or other facilities that provide health care to provide education opportunities for establishing or expanding clinical education. Long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living) are health care facilities that could benefit from expanded clinical education partnerships and nursing workforce development.

Division II funds veterans' nursing home care through medical services and community care accounts, and includes grants for state extended care facilities ($171M) and veterans cemeteries ($60M), benefiting long-term care providers serving veterans.

Section 2(a) specifies that reimbursement applies to 'items or services delivered in post-acute and long-term care settings.' This provision ensures that long-term care providers receive payment from Medicare Advantage plans for services rendered to veterans, directly benefiting the long-term care industry by creating a federal reimbursement obligation for these services.

Section 110(a) deficit reduction mechanism reduces federal debt accumulation, which can lower long-term interest rates, benefiting long-term care providers who rely on financing for facility expansions and operational funding.

Section 515 requires care and support for victims of covered misconduct, which could include long-term care services for ongoing trauma recovery.

Section 209(a) allows HUD to transfer project-based assistance and use restrictions, which could support housing for elderly or disabled individuals, potentially increasing demand for long-term care services as residents age in place with supportive services.

Sec. 510's allocation of Crime Victims Fund excess to the Office for Victims of Crime for grants to Indian Tribes could benefit long-term care providers serving tribal elders through victim assistance programs.

Section 7058(c)(2) funding for infectious disease outbreak response would benefit long-term care facilities through infection control measures, pandemic preparedness, and protection of vulnerable elderly populations.

Section 202(b)(11)(A) includes Medicaid as a 'specified program', which funds long-term care services for elderly and disabled individuals, benefiting long-term care providers.