Claudia Tenney: “I rise before you today to share the heartbreaking stories from Americans around the country, including my own district…”

“I rise before you today to share the heartbreaking stories from Americans around the country, including my own district, who were cut off from their loved ones in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the next several months in this Chamber, I will share harrowing testimony submitted to my office from these families. Essential caregivers were prohibited from entering nursing homes, group homes, and other long-term care facilities to provide an extra level of care and love, which is so desperately needed and deserved by those who call these facilities home. Over the past year, long-term care facility residents suffered in isolation. Alone, many lost the will to live, and many others deteriorated physically and mentally. While we cannot go back in time to fix what has been done, we can take steps today to prevent this from ever happening again. If Congress fails to act, we could see thousands more Americans die or suffer in isolation again. I have introduced the bipartisan Essential Caregivers Act to fight for the rights of our seniors, our constituents living in group homes with disabilities, and anyone who resides in a long-term care facility. This also includes young children with developmental disabilities. Under Federal law, residents in long-term care facilities have a right to receive visitors at any time. But during the pandemic, this right was curtailed completely.…”