Argentum is thrilled to share that our priority legislation, the SENIOR Act, has officially been reintroduced in Congress! The legislation is led by Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and is intended to address access and affordability of assisted living and the industry’s workforce needs (see our press release).

Specifically, The SENIOR Act (“Safeguarding Elderly Needs for Innovation and Occupational Resources”) would:

1. Create a cost-reduction program allowing seniors to choose assisted living care instead of costlier skilled nursing facilities that rely on Medicaid.
2. Re-target existing HHS and DOL workforce training programs like Job Corps, American Job Centers and others to offer specializations in senior care.

Calling all Argentum Advocates: Today at 2:00 pm ET, Argentum will present its monthly member-exclusive policy briefing.

What's next for assisted living following last month's Senate Aging Committee hearing? Argentum recently met with senior staffers on the committee to discuss plans for upcoming hearings and the potential for legislation impacting the industry. Today's session will share details of our continued outreach to the committee and senate offices, our grassroots campaign, and how to get involved with the upcoming "I ❤ Assisted Living" campaign.

We'll also share the latest developments on the anticipated re-introduction of the industry-leading SENIOR Act, along with updates on the Care Across Generations Act, Veterans assisted living pilot program, and more.

Argentum Advocates are invited to these exclusive sessions to hear directly from Argentum’s federal lobbyists on our current federal and state public policy efforts.

Argentum Advocates Member Briefing
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
2:00 PM ET

Today is the last day to secure hotel accommodations for the Argentum Public Policy Institute. In order to get access to the official room block for PPI, you must register for the event.

The special Presidents Day sale for the Argentum Public Policy Institute ends soon, but there's still time to take advantage of the savings. From now through February 19, we're bringing back early bird rates, giving you the opportunity to secure your spot at a discounted rate.

With recent media coverage and increased attention from lawmakers, it's more important than ever for us to tell our story and advocate for the senior living industry. Make sure at least one member of your leadership team attends the Public Policy Institute this March in Washington, DC.

>>> New: Special day-pass to attend Tuesday, March 12 for advocacy training and meetings on Capitol Hill. Community-level executive directors are strongly encouraged to attend through this exclusive rate to share their on-the-ground stories of daily life in assisted living. Register for only $250.

Columbia Cottage Linglestown welcomed staff from the U.S. Senate Aging Committee for a visit of their community near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The visit provided an opportunity to meet with residents, staff, and senior living experts to discuss the critical role assisted living plays in supporting the needs of older adults in Pennsylvania and across the country.

The visit was coordinated by Argentum, the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA), and Columbia Cottage Assisted Living.

U.S. Senate Aging Committee staff visited Columbia Cottage near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 357-70 last week to pass H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, a $78 billion tax package negotiated by House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR). It will next be considered by the U.S. Senate.

The package would repurpose all remaining funding from the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), to help pay for a limited expansion of the child tax credit and reinstatement of lapsed business tax deductions, some of which may be applicable to senior living communities, including:

The Senate is expected to hold an initial vote tomorrow on a $118 billion border security and international aid supplemental legislation, which includes the bipartisan immigration agreement led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and James Lankford (R-OK). While the bill contains modest improvements in immigration reforms that Argentum has advanced to help with the workforce shortage crisis, it is unlikely the bill has enough support to advance in either the House or Senate.

Unfortunately, the package does not adequately address the critical need of health care and direct care workers in the United States, as Argentum identified in a report issued last year (Workforce Projections for Senior Care), which shows a current shortage of more than 400,000 workers in long-term care that is projected to grow to more than 20 million workers by 2040. Argentum has pushed for common-senses policy solutions to address these workforce needs through our foreign-born worker task force and with the Tent Partnership for Refugees.

The package would allow for expedited deportation of undocumented migrants, tighten asylum application requirements, and increase funding for border security personnel. Major provisions of the Senate legislation include:

Following last week's Senate Aging Committee hearing on assisted living and on the heels of recent media coverage of our industry, its more important than ever to tell our story. Here's how you can help:

1. Register for the Public Policy Institute (early bird deadline is today!) The Public Policy Institute takes place from March 11-13 in Washington, DC. We strongly urge everyone to register for this influential event. We'll have the opportunity to connect with policymakers, share success stories, and demonstrate the vital role our industry plays in supporting seniors' well-being. Don't wait! Today, January 31, is the LAST DAY to secure the best rate for attendance.
   
   
2. Send a message to your Senators and the Aging Committee. Aging Committee Chairman Bob Casey has requested stories from families. It's important that you share your story in both of these platforms:
   1. Our grassroots campaign “Why I Love My Assisted Living Community” where your story will go directly to your U.S. Senators offices.
   2. The Committee's website, Assisted Living Bills, where lawmakers have specifically asked to hear from stakeholders. We want them to hear your positive stories!
      
      
3. Pledge to Join the Fight. Corporate contributions to the Advocacy Fund provide Argentum with resources to implement a robust public policy strategy at both the Federal and state levels on behalf of the senior living industry. Learn more about the Advocacy Fund and make a pledge today to proactively help shape the future of senior living.
   

Earlier today, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging held its first hearing focused specifically on assisted living in more than twenty-years. The hearing included discussion on long-term care affordability and transparency, workforce challenges, the role of private investment and government oversight, and national standards, among other issues. To learn more about the hearing and how Argentum is responding, Argentum Advocates are invited to join us for our monthly policy briefing, next Wednesday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

Argentum Advocates Member Briefing
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
2:00 PM ET

This Thursday, January 25 at 10:00 am ET, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing, "Assisted Living Facilities: Understanding Long-Term Care Options for Older Adults." This will be the first hearing the Aging Committee has held in more than twenty-years specifically focused on assisted living.

Ahead of the hearing, we want to make sure that Senators hear from assisted living residents, family members, and other supporters on why they love assisted living and what makes it so special. It is important that lawmakers hear your personal stories, why you chose assisted living for yourself or a loved one, what makes your community a home, and how your care team is like family. You may also consider sharing how assisted living has helped improve quality of life, health outcomes and outlook, and if it has helped support your family's role as caregivers.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host an Application Office Hour on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET for the "Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience" (GUIDE) model. The session will provide a brief overview of the GUIDE model and offer a forum to address questions about the model, the Request for Applications, and the application process.