Congressman Cleaver Introduces CHARTS Act to Modernize and Improve Long-Term Care for Seniors

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), introduced the Connecting Health and Records Technology for Seniors (CHARTS) Act, legislation to help long-term and post-acute care providers modernize patient record systems, improve care coordination, and ensure America's seniors receive safer, more connected healthcare.

When Congress passed the HITECH Act of 2009, hospitals and physician practices received federal incentives to adopt electronic health records (EHRs). Long-term care providers, including skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and home health agencies, were largely left out. As a result, many facilities caring for older Americans continue to rely on outdated systems that make it more difficult to share patient information, coordinate care between providers, and participate in today's increasingly data-driven healthcare system.

The legislation comes as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services continues its transition toward value-based care models, where providers are increasingly expected to coordinate care across multiple settings. Yet many long-term care providers remain unable to fully participate because implementing electronic health record systems can cost between $100,000 and $250,000 - a significant financial hurdle for many facilities.

"Healthcare doesn't stop when a patient leaves the hospital, and neither should access to their medical records," said Congressman Cleaver. "Too many seniors experience fragmented care simply because the providers caring for them don't have the tools to communicate effectively with one another. Whether someone is transitioning from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility, a nursing home, or receiving care at home, their health information should move with them. The CHARTS Act is a commonsense investment that will improve care, reduce unnecessary costs, and give healthcare professionals more time to focus on what matters most: their patients."

"ADVION thanks Congressman Emanuel Cleaver for introducing this important legislation, which will help ensure skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies have the resources needed to implement and fully leverage electronic health records. As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to advance data standards and expectations for real-time information exchange, providers must be equipped to share critical patient data seamlessly with care teams, payers, families, and CMS. Many nursing facilities and home health agencies have faced financial and operational barriers to adopting or optimizing EHR technology. This grant program represents a meaningful step toward closing that gap-supporting providers in delivering more coordinated, data-driven, and high-quality care to the patients and residents they serve," said Genice Hornberger, RN, President of the Board of Directors of ADVION, an organization advocating for high-quality, cost-effective care for America's seniors and our most vulnerable citizens.

The CHARTS Act would establish a competitive pilot grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help long-term and post-acute care providers purchase and implement electronic health record systems.

Specifically, the CHARTS Act would:

• Authorize $5 million annually in FY2027 and FY2028 for competitive grants to eligible providers
• Award grants of up to $500,000 to help providers purchase and implement electronic health record systems
• Improve communication and real-time information sharing between hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, physicians, and other healthcare providers
• Support better care coordination, reduce duplicative services, strengthen medication management, and improve clinical decision-making
• Require HHS to report back to Congress on how the program improves patient outcomes and recommend whether the initiative should be expanded

Full text of the bill here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.