Randy Susen Visitation Rights Act of 2025
Randy Susen Visitation Rights Act of 2025 is a proposed federal bill that would require skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) participating in Medicare (Title XVIII) and Medicaid (Title XIX) to permit unrestricted, immediate visitation by at least one individual designated by a resident. The resident would retain the right to deny or withdraw consent or designation at any time, but facilities could not impose any other restrictions on that designated visitation. The bill was introduced in the House (H.R. 5314) in September 2025 by Rep. Grothman and co-sponsors and would amend sections of the Social Security Act to enforce these visitation rights across Medicare- and Medicaid-funded SNFs. The objective appears to be strengthening residents’ rights to receive visitors of their choosing without policy-imposed barriers. In practical terms, if enacted, SNFs would need to ensure that a resident-designated visitor can access the resident immediately, with minimal or no additional restrictions beyond the resident’s own ability to revoke the designation. Enforcement would hinge on federal funding requirements tied to Medicare and Medicaid participation, though the text provided does not detail implementation or penalties.
Key Points
- 1The bill amends Medicare and Medicaid provisions (Social Security Act sections 1819(c)(3) and 1919(c)(3)) to add a new subparagraph guaranteeing unrestricted visitation.
- 2It requires SNFs to permit immediate access to a resident by at least one individual designated by the resident.
- 3The resident retains the right to deny or withdraw consent or the designation at any time.
- 4The new requirement applies to facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid (i.e., Medicare SNFs and Medicaid SNFs).
- 5The language states there should be no other restrictions or limitations on access beyond the resident’s own designation/withdrawal, implying a broad visitor-access mandate with limited exceptions.