As a reminder, the application for Phase 4 of the provider relief fund (PRF) will close tomorrow, October 26 at 11:59 pm ET.

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.

We are reaching out today to announce our new advocacy-based social media feeds. As we all gear up for the many legislative and regulatory priorities that lie ahead this fall, the engagement of Argentum Advocates is more important than ever.

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.

On September 10, HHS announced the release of $25.5 billion in provider relief, including $17 billion specifically for Phase 4 from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). We invite you to an upcoming webinar to review the requirements of this latest round of relief.

Earlier this morning, HHS announced they would be releasing $25.5 billion in provider relief, to include $17 billion in Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) allocations and $8.5 billion in funding specifically from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) dedicated to rural health providers. We have confirmed that assisted living facilities are included in the definition of “provider” for phase 4 relief, but we are continuing to seek clarification on the specific distribution criteria. Argentum has been calling on the Biden administration for months to release additional funds and to ensure funds are targeted and equitable for senior living providers. We greatly appreciate your engagement in our “Release the PRF” campaign over the past several weeks that has helped apply pressure to the administration on the needs of providers.

We are pleased to share that as we continue our campaign to “Release the PRF,” the Senate sign-on letter has officially garnered the support of 50 senators, with Senator Cassidy joining the addendum. We are also pleased to announce that Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) have teamed up again for a companion to the Senate’s sign-on letter. As you may recall, Reps. Spanberger and Gonzalez co-led the letter back in April calling on targeted and equitable relief, and we are thrilled to have their continued support on this latest letter. It is tentatively scheduled to remain open for signatures through this Friday, September 10. Please reach out to House offices asking for their support. Thank you in advance for your help!

Argentum’s five-week campaign to “Release the PRF” continues with this week’s theme, “Activating the Grassroots.” Earlier today, Argentum sent a letter to President Biden, HHS Secretary Becerra, and HHS Deputy Secretary Palm on the urgent need to release the phase 4 provider relief funds to assisted living providers. The letter follows the Senate sign-on letter that ultimately garnered the support of 49 senators, along with the joint letter that kicked off the campaign, where Argentum was joined by AHCA/NCAL, ASHA, and LeadingAge urging the release of funds to all long-term care providers.

Earlier today, Argentum officially relaunched the Standing with Seniors website (see press release) as part of our five-week campaign encouraging the administration to “Release the PRF.” The website provides a central place for information on the impact of COVID-19 on senior living communities, residents, and caregivers, including infographics for each state, a clock showing the elapsed time since the CARES Act relief funding was signed into law, information for policymakers and staff, and a link for advocates to take action and send a message to the administration and Congress on the urgent need to release the relief funds.

The second week of Argentum’s five-week campaign encouraging the administration to “Release the PRF” is underway! We are pleased to share that this week, Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) began circulating a Congressional sign-on letter to their Senate colleagues on the urgent need for HHS to release additional provider relief funds.