Earlier today, the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 3, averting a government shutdown that would have occurred at midnight tonight without passage of the funding measure. The stopgap will provide additional time for lawmakers to negotiate broader legislative packages, potentially including priorities advocated by Argentum.
For months, Argentum has been leading discussions with lawmakers on advancing our priorities into legislative packages, including drafting the Safeguarding Elderly Needs for Infrastructure and Occupational Resources (SENIOR) Act, a once-in-a-generation investment in senior caregiving infrastructure. That legislation is currently under review and expected to be formally introduced in the coming weeks.
The SENIOR Act would establish a caregiver sustainability fund to provide the financial resources for facilities to weather the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the nation’s growing caregiving needs, and also make significant investments in workforce development to both meet the current shortages and better prepare for the growing need for caregivers in the coming years and decades.
We encourage all Argentum Advocates members to stay engaged throughout this process, by contacting your members of Congress and urging their support for our priorities and the SENIOR Act, using social media to promote our message, and staying informed through our regular messaging and monthly member briefings (the next session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27).
Additionally, with yesterday's opening of the Provider Relief Fund application portal for Phase 4 and rural relief funds, Argentum Advocates are encouraged to view a recording of yesterday’s webinar (slides), and to register for upcoming sessions held by HRSA on October 5, October 13, and October 21.