Today's Argentum Advocates member briefing provided an update on Argentum's response to the recent national media coverage of assisted living and how Argentum is working to reshape the narrative and counter misleading and flawed reporting.

The session also provided a recap of the major accomplishments over the past year, to include last week's introduction of H.R. 6835, Argentum-led legislation to foster intergenerational connection between seniors and children.

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

This session will include an important update on recent national media coverage and how Argentum is leading the response to reshape the narrative and counter misleading and flawed reporting.

We will also share a year-in-review of the major accomplishments of our policy priorities, including H.R. 6835, the just-introduced legislation led by Argentum to foster intergenerational connection between seniors and children, and we'll look ahead to the coming year and how Argentum Advocates can get involved.

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, December 20, 2023
2:00 PM ET

Argentum is thrilled to share that yesterday, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH) introduced H.R. 6835, the Care Across Generations Act. This Argentum-led bill would help more seniors and children interact with one another, providing health and well-being benefits and addressing the epidemic of loneliness facing our nation, while also potentially helping reduce workforce shortages by improving caregiver retention.

Argentum worked directly with the Congressional offices to draft the legislative language of the Care Across Generations Act. The bill would establish grants for long-term care communities to operate a child care facility within their community, coordinate multigenerational activities, or develop or expand new or existing facilities for the specific purpose of fostering intergenerational connections.

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

This session will look at the latest government funding agreement and its impact to Argentum's priorities in the broader appropriations process, expectations for the remainder of Congress's year, and updates to senior living specific legislation lead by Argentum that is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.

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, November 29, 2023
2:00 PM ET

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included more than $400 billion in  tax credits and incentives to promote energy efficiency and help offset the costs of solar power systems, lighting systems, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, hot water systems, clean vehicles” and EV charging stations. Many of these may be applicable to senior living communities. Recent guidance on these provisions includes:

Yesterday, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the government until after the New Year, and thereby avert a shutdown that otherwise would have started tomorrow. The CR funds most of the government through February 2, while four spending bills would be funded through January 19: Agriculture, Energy and Water, Military Construction-VA and Transportation-HUD.

The Senate passed the package on Wednesday by a vote of 87-11. The package passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 336-95, with 207 Democrats joining 127 Republicans to secure passage. Notably, even more Republican voted against this package than the CR negotiated by then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to avert the would-be shutdown on October 1.

Earlier today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it is now accepting applications for the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, a package of care coordination and management, caregiver education and support, and respite services to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on unpaid caregivers, and help people remain in their homes and communities.

In observance of Veterans Day, the U.S. Senate Special Committee On Aging is holding a field hearing in Tampa, Florida today at 2:00 p.m. ET on "Issues Facing Veterans: Access to Care, Services, and Economic Opportunity."

Today's field hearing presents an opportunity for senior living advocates to get our voices heard on the need for Congress to pass the Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act (H.R. 1815, S. 495). This bipartisan legislation would finally give veterans the ability to choose assisted living for their long-term care, instead of a nursing home.

In response to the proposed rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor in September, Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) sent a joint comment letter urging the department to withdraw the rule and work with stakeholders to develop solutions for overtime pay that more closely reflect current economic conditions.

Voters are heading to the polls today in several states, with governors races on the ballot in two states, legislature elections in three states, municipal elections in 64 cities/counties, and ballot measures in five states (Colorado, Maine, New York, Ohio, and Texas). Notable races include:

• Kentucky: Governor Andy Beshear (D) is seeking a second term, challenged by Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R).
• Mississippi: Governor Tate Reeves (R) is seeking a second term, challenged by Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley (D). All 174 seats in the legislature (house and senate) are also up for election. Republicans currently control the Senate 36-15, and the House 76-40.
• New Jersey: All 120 seats in the General Assembly (house and senate) are up for election. Democrats currently control the Senate 25-15, and the House 46-34.
• Rhode Island: Special election for the 1st congressional district, formerly held by David Cicilline (D), who resigned in May to lead the Rhode Island Foundation.
• Virginia: All 140 seats in the General Assembly (house and senate) are up for election. Democrats currently control the Senate 22-18, Republicans currently control the House 52-48.