WASHINGTON, DC —This week Rep. Ron Kind will introduce the Infection Control Training and Support Act, legislation that would provide an additional $200 million for quality and infection control support for skilled nursing facilities.
Nursing homes have been disproportionately impacted during this pandemic with residents accounting for one-third of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. This bill would help ensure nursing homes have the resources they need to enhance quality of care and safety measures as the COVID-19 outbreak continues and make sure they are prepared for future public health crises.
“Nursing home staff across Wisconsin are working tirelessly to provide high-quality care and keep their residents safe. However, many long-term care facilities, particularly in our rural areas, have limited access to resources,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “I’m proud to introduce legislation to ensure nursing homes have the support they need as the COVID-19 crisis continues and help keep both residents and long-term care workers safe and healthy.”
The Infection Control Training and Support Act would require the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide $200 million to Skilled Nursing Facilities struggling with infection control through the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program. Rep. Kind first introduced this legislation in the 116th Congress when it passed the House as part of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. This week the Ways and Means Committee will consider Rep. Kind’s Infection Control Training and Support Act, among other bills, as part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
Rep. Kind is a member of the Health Subcommittee on the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful – and the oldest – committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over tax measures, the management of public debt, trade and tariff laws, Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and many other economic growth measures.
