Representatives Ron Estes (R-KS) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) re-introduced the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, legislation to address the two-year Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training lockout. LeadingAge continues its advocacy for this legislation, which eliminates the rigid provisions in law and grants Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services greater flexibility in reinstating providers’ valuable CNA training programs. It would also allow nursing home operators access to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) to give employers a greater ability to screen potential candidates.

As LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan noted in her statement, “Certified nurse aides are essential members of every nursing home’s care team, and we desperately need more of them.”

To access Katie’s full statement and additional information, see LeadingAge’s press release and the House bill text.