The bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Rulli (R-OH-6) and Congressmen Stanton (D-AZ-4) and Pappas (D-NH-1) seeks to strengthen Medicaid nursing services

Congressman Rulli (R-OH-6) and Congressmen Stanton (D-AZ-4) and Pappas (D-NH-1) announced the introduction of the Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act of 2025, aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of skilled nursing care under Medicaid. This House bill complements Senate Bill 1920, introduced earlier this year by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

This bipartisan legislation was developed with the assistance of Maxim Healthcare (Maxim) alongside the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) and the National Alliance for Care at Home (Alliance). Each of these organizations strongly endorsed the bill, advocating for modernized standards and appropriate regulatory scrutiny to better serve the nation’s medically fragile patients. “This legislation provides another opportunity to work across party lines and create meaningful healthcare standards by removing unnecessary provider burdens that make it difficult to operate and care for our most medically fragile patient population,” said Veronica Charles, Senior Director of Government Relations at Maxim Healthcare.

The Continuous Skilled Nursing Quality Improvement Act of 2025 directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to work with stakeholders, including providers, patient advocacy groups and state Medicaid agencies to develop national quality standards. These standards will improve oversight and ensure that Medicaid patients receive high-quality care from licensed nurses.

“This bill is a game-changer for Medicaid patients who depend on skilled nursing at home,” said Jason Lee, CEO of HCAOA. “By updating outdated regulations and establishing national quality standards, we can make sure that patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it. Our members are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Rulli, Stanton, and Pappas, along with Senators Tillis and Hassan, for championing this important issue.”

Key components of the proposed legislation seek to modernize the definition of private duty nursing to “continuous skilled nursing services”, which better reflects the needs of patients requiring this extended skilled nursing care. Additionally, the policy would require HHS to define national quality standards by convening a working group. Likewise, the legislation will ensure Medicaid providers are not subject to Medicare home health agency participation conditions, which do not align with the care being provided, and will improve overall access to care. Finally, the bill will expand Medicaid’s home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver program to include continuous skilled nursing care.

“At Maxim, we remain committed to leading efforts that improve care delivery for medically fragile patients and advocating for policies that strengthen the home healthcare industry,” said Charles.

About Maxim Healthcare

For more than 35 years, we have been making a difference in patients’ lives by providing excellent service and compassionate care. We offer skilled nursing, personal care, respite care, behavioral care and physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic and acute illnesses and disabilities. Visit https://www.maximhealthcare.com/ for more information.

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“At Maxim Healthcare, we remain committed to leading efforts that improve care delivery for medically fragile patients and advocating for policies that strengthen the home healthcare industry.”