On Tuesday, the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (H.R.6126) was approved with a 5-to-4 vote by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial Law and Administrative Law. The bill would invalidate pre-dispute arbitration agreements between a long-term care facility and a resident or client.

“Long-term care advocates oppose the legislation, arguing that arbitration agreements allow them to channel limited Medicare and Medicaid resources to providing quality care instead of funding lengthy court trials,” McKnight’s reports.

Later today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to mark up its version of the bill, S. 2838.