Argentum sent a letter to President Biden and HHS Secretary Becerra today, imploring the administration to directly supply senior living facilities with COVID-19 testing supplies, resuming a federal program for vaccine and booster administration, and reiterating the need for targeted federal financial relief.
Argentum’s letter comes as the need for tests has grown rapidly with the dramatic increase in cased spurred by the Omicron variant. While senior living facilities had previously received supplies of tests, those have now largely been depleted and acquiring additional supplies has been very difficult for communities. As we note in our letter, the tests are needed to better track and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, ensure staff are able to return to the workforce as quickly as possible based on the recent CDC guidance, and also to support visitation.
Argentum was pleased with announcement by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week to supply up to one million COVID rapid test kits to the state’s assisted living and nursing home communities. The announcement came at the urging of Argentum’s State Partner, the Florida Senior Living Association. Argentum President and CEO James Balda noted that, “If all states, and notably the Biden Administration, would support assisted living residents like Florida has today, in this ongoing fight with testing, vaccine, and treatment support, it would be a lot easier to protect our residents.”
Senior living facilities have led efforts to vaccinate residents and staff, with a recent internal survey finding that 95.5% of residents and 87.6% of staff are vaccinated. Further, 90% of communities have completed initial booster clinics as of December 2021. However, while the vaccines provide some level of protection from Omicron, data show that more than two-thirds of breakthrough hospitalizations among fully vaccinated individuals are occurring in those who are age 65 and older.
Argentum’s letter to the administration includes three specific asks:
- Distributing COVID-19 tests directly to senior living facilities.
- Resuming federal support programs for vaccine/booster administration.
- Prioritizing the remaining Provider Relief Funds for assisted living providers.
Argentum will continue to press the administration on each of these items as communities continue to serve on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
