Senators Hassan and Vance Introduce Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and JD Vance (R-OH) introduced the Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act, which would redefine “private duty nursing services” as “continuous skilled nursing services,” remove outdated provider red tape, and mandate that the Secretary of Health and Human Services convene a working group to establish national quality standards of care for these services.

“The care provided by continuous skilled nursing allows patients to remain at home while getting the care they need,” said Senator Hassan. “Medicaid standards should reflect the unique work of nurses who provide complex one-on-one care to individuals at home. I am glad to support this bipartisan legislation that can help us better understand and evaluate the vital work of skilled nurses who help individuals with disabilities thrive at home.”

“Federal regulations are preventing Ohioans with disabilities and complex medical conditions from receiving the specialized, in-home nursing care they need,” said Senator Vance. “This bipartisan legislation will prevent our laws from standing in the way of these lifesaving services.”

“CSN services are a lifeline for the most medically fragile patients, providing critical care that allows them to remain comfortably in their home,” said Jason Lee, CEO of the Home Care Association of America. “Our Members are so grateful for Senator Vance (R-OH) and Senator Hassan’s (D-NH) bipartisan leadership on this issue. These are the issues where we can come together to improve the lives of children and families impacted by complex-medical conditions and disabilities. The Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act of 2024 is vital to modernizing and improving this essential program, ensuring consistent national standards and better outcomes for patients and caregivers alike.”

“I started my career at Maxim Healthcare Services in Cleveland, OH in 1998 and the problems facing Ohio’s patients then, have continued to negatively impact patients and families for a very long time,” said Jarrod DePriest, CEO of Maxim Healthcare Services. “This legislation will advance patient care and remove provider red tape, improvements that have been long overdue. We cannot thank Senator Vance enough for leading this industry legislation during such a transformative time for home-and-community-based service providers.”

“Providers are grateful for Senator Hassan’s continued leadership and commitment to advocate for the needs of the medically complex community in the Granite State,” said Gina Balkus, CEO of the Home Care, Hospice, & Palliative Care Alliance of New Hampshire. “She knows these issues firsthand and we’re proud of the work she is doing in Congress to represent this critical population.”