Bill Summary
The "Long-Term Care Transparency Act" seeks to enhance oversight and accountability of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs by amending the Older Americans Act of 1965. This legislation mandates that the Assistant Secretary for Aging submit an annual report to key congressional committees, including the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on Aging, as well as the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The report will compile and summarize findings from all previous reports submitted under a specific section of the Act, thereby providing Congress with a comprehensive overview of the ombudsman programs and their effectiveness in safeguarding the rights and well-being of older Americans in long-term care facilities.
Possible Impacts
The "Long-Term Care Transparency Act" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Increased Oversight of Long-Term Care Facilities**: By requiring annual reports on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, the legislation aims to enhance oversight of long-term care facilities. This could lead to improved conditions for residents, as issues such as neglect or abuse may be identified and addressed more swiftly. Families of residents may feel more assured that there is a mechanism in place to advocate for the rights and well-being of their loved ones.
2. **Greater Accountability and Transparency**: The requirement for aggregated annual reports to Congress means that there will be more transparent data available regarding the performance and challenges faced by State Ombudsman Programs. This increased transparency can empower consumers and advocates by providing them with valuable information about the quality of care and services in their community, allowing them to make more informed decisions about long-term care options.
3. **Potential Policy Changes and Funding Adjustments**: The findings from these reports could influence legislative and funding priorities at both the federal and state levels. If the reports reveal systemic issues or areas needing improvement within long-term care, policymakers might allocate additional resources or implement new regulations to address those issues. This could ultimately lead to enhanced services and support for older adults and their families, improving overall quality of life for those in long-term care settings.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1256 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1256
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require reports to Congress
on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 12, 2025
Mr. Langworthy (for himself, Mr. Smucker, Mr. Davis of North Carolina,
and Ms. Tenney) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require reports to Congress
on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Long-Term Care Transparency Act''.
SEC. 2. REPORTING ON STATE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAMS.
Chapter 2 of subtitle A of title VII of the Older Americans Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3058f et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 714. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
``Each year, the Assistant Secretary shall submit, to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on
Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of
the House of Representatives, a report that--
``(1) aggregates all reports submitted under section 712(h)
for such year; and
``(2) provides a summary of the findings of such
reports.''.
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