Rice unveils legislation to expand background screening access to protect they elderly

To better prevent the abuse of America’s senior citizens, U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) on March 17 sponsored a bipartisan bill that would increase the ability of Medicare and Medicaid providers to access the National Practitioner Data Bank to conduct employee background checks.

“As Americans, we have a duty to protect our senior population, especially the vulnerable in nursing homes and long-term care facilities,” Rep. Rice said. “This bipartisan bill will allow senior care providers to screen potential employees through the National Practitioner Data Bank, a system already used by hospitals.”

The Promote Responsible Oversight and Targeted Employee Background Check Transparency for Seniors (PROTECTS) Act, H.R. 7140, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), is a companion bill to the same-named S. 2214, introduced in June 2021 by U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

If enacted, the bill would allow Medicaid and Medicare providers, such as skilled nursing facilities, to access  the disciplinary information of affiliated physicians and other healthcare practitioners as reported by state licensing authorities through the National Practitioner Data Bank, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Currently, hospitals use the data bank to find records of malpractice settlements and adverse actions in a health professionals’ history, according to information provided by Rep. Rice that noted the bill would expand the data bank to include senior care providers, like nursing homes and home health agencies. 

“Deciding to move an elderly loved one into a nursing home or long-term care facility is not always easy — in part due to the fear of poor treatment,” said Rep. Soto. “Thanks to the PROTECTS Act, senior care providers will have the opportunity to take necessary steps to ensure that elderly residents are safe. I hope Congress acts quickly to put millions of families across the nation at ease.”

The bill has garnered endorsements from the Elder Justice Coalition, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the American Health Care Association, and the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.