Argentum sent a letter yesterday to President Biden relaying the urgent needs of senior living providers, and formally kicked off its latest campaign, “Don’t Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again.” This effort calls attention to the continued disparities in relief and support that has been made available to senior living, and the need to rectify it moving forward, including with the Phase 4 PRF payments.
As we note in our letter, senior living facilities have time and again not had equitable access to federal support, either through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) or in support for testing supplies or the administration of vaccines/boosters. We are specifically asking for the administration to take immediate action to address the need for targeted financial relief through Phase 4 of the PRF and a longer-term sustainability fund, make critical investments in the workforce, and to provide direct support such as testing and vaccine/booster administration, to senior living facilities.
This latest campaign follows our highly successful campaigns to Save the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and to Release the PRF. In late July, as lawmakers sought funding offsets for the bipartisan infrastructure package, the PRF faced a near certain death with a likelihood of being zeroed-out and repurposed for infrastructure. However, because of Argentum’s leadership and the support of countless advocates, we were successful in thwarting these efforts and were able to fully preserve all remaining funds. Then shortly thereafter, we led the Release the PRF campaign, which culminated on September 10 with the announcement of more than $25 billion in relief funds being released (that application is open now through next Tuesday, October 26).
The campaign will be an all-encompassing effort to include strategically placed billboards, banners, and other signage in locations across the country, including in Scranton, Pa., ahead of the president’s later today. Argentum also hopes signage near Biden’s Delaware homes catch his attention and that of Congressional leaders across the country, as well as local political outreach, media placements, and traditional and digital advertising.
Senior living advocates are encouraged to join us in this campaign effort by going to standingwithseniors.com, sending a pre-written message to the White House and Congress, and sharing these efforts with your friends and colleagues. The success of this campaign depends on everyone joining together to get our voices heard.
On behalf of the seniors we serve and our frontline caregivers, thank you all for your continued engagement in our efforts.