The number of nursing homes placed on the Special Focus Facility list could be expanded ninefold under new legislation proposed by Democratic federal lawmakers. 

The Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act introduced last week is aimed at improving the overall care, while also increasing accountability and oversight of facilities. Improvements to the SFF program were included among the several proposals introduced in the bill.

Specifically, the legislation would require HHS to ensure that no less than 5% of Medicare and Medicaid nursing homes participate in the program. It would also establish a compliance assistance program to provide on-site consultation and educational programming to the facilities. 

If approved, HHS would receive approximately $14.8 million annually to implement the measure. 

“The residents, workers and families who suffered through [the COVID-19 pandemic] are owed solutions, to ensure we prevent such tragedies in the future,” Ron Wyden (OR), Senate Finance Committee chairman, said in a statement. 

“This legislation provides the transparency and accountability that families deserve, expanding staffing, technical assistance and oversight efforts across the board,” he added. 

Currently, there are about 88 facilities on the SFF list, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The proposal could swell the list to include more than 750 nursing homes. 

Lawmakers in the past have sought to increase the number of facilities participating in the program, which specifically targets very low-performing nursing homes for more oversight and improvement. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who co-sponsored this bill, introduced similar legislation both last fall and earlier this spring.