Enhancing Skilled Nursing Facilities Act
Sponsored By: Representative Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Expands which clinicians can certify, supervise, and provide care in Medicare and Medicaid skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities. The bill would let nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists perform many roles now reserved for physicians when state law allows.
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- Residents and families would have more access to advanced practice clinicians for care planning and rights protections. These clinicians are added to residents' rights and care-participation rules.
- Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists would be authorized to certify post-hospital extended care, supervise SNF services, and take on Medicare Part B administrative roles where state law permits. The bill also clarifies collaboration with physicians for clinical nurse specialists.
- Skilled nursing facilities and state programs would gain staffing flexibility and closer alignment between Medicare and Medicaid on who may certify, supervise, and provide nursing facility services. This supports more team-based care based on state scope-of-practice rules.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More clinician options for nursing facilities
If enacted, this bill would let nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and some clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) perform more roles in skilled nursing and nursing facilities when state law allows. These clinicians could certify and recertify need for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, serve as an attending clinician, and help direct or supervise resident care under Medicare and Medicaid rules. Medicaid certification of intermediate care facility services would remain physician-only, and States could choose whether CNSs may supervise nursing facility care. The changes would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 1/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov