Estes sponsors bipartisan Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act

U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS) on May 11 sponsored a bipartisan bill that aims to address the nation’s critical shortage of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). 

“This common-sense bill ensures nursing homes continue to meet high standards without losing staffing levels needed for quality care,” said Rep. Estes last week.

The Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, H.R. 3227, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), would allow nursing homes that have been forced to suspend in-house CNA education programs after receiving a certain level of penalties to resume those programs once quality standards are met, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Estes’ staff.

“Nearly every industry across the country is facing worker shortages, and the same is true for certified nursing assistants,” Rep. Estes said. “Together with Rep. Connolly, we are working to address this critical shortage of CNAs, especially in rural areas, by allowing nursing homes to resume CNA education programs faster.”

Under current law, nursing homes that receive a threshold number of penalties for deficiencies in quality have a two-year mandatory suspension placed on in-house CNA certification programs, the summary says.

If enacted, H.R. 3227 would permit suspensions on in-house CNA education to be rescinded once deficiencies are assessed and found to be remedied while allowing for additional oversight of facilities, not exceeding the original two years, states the summary.

“Amidst an historic shortage of CNAs, our efforts should be focused on bolstering the workforce and ensuring that the needs of our seniors living in nursing homes are met,” said Rep. Connolly. “That’s exactly what our bill will accomplish. I’m grateful to Rep. Estes for his leadership on this critical issue and I look forward to continuing to work together to get this important legislation signed into law.”

The American Health Care Association, LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit providers of aging services, LeadingAge Kansas, Kansas Christian Home, the Prairie Wind Villa Assisted Living, Phillips County Retirement Center, LeadingAge Virginia, and The View Alexandria by Goodwin Living endorsed the bill.