The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) began distributing the $7.5 billion in rural relief from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) today, and indicated that they anticipate making payments from Phase 4 of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) in December and continue through January 2022.
Argentum sent a letter yesterday to President Biden, HHS Secretary Becerra, and HRSA Acting Administrator Espinosa imploring the administration to prioritize senior living providers for Phase 4 relief payments. As we have noted previously, the administration has discretion to target funds specifically for providers who care for Medicare beneficiaries.
As rural relief payments begin rolling out and HRSA prepares its methodology for the Phase 4 payments, we are continuing our "Don't Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again" campaign. Billboards, banners, and signs continue to be places across the country to help raise awareness on the needs of senior living providers.
A sign placed at Bentley Assisted Living in Branchville, New Jersey.
Argentum is also supporting H.R. 5963, the Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act, recently introduced by Representatives Spanberger (D-VA), Gonzalez (R-OH), Axne (D-IA), Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Mace (R-SC). This bill would require HHS to distribute remaining provider relief funds by March 31. Along with Argentum, this bill is also supported by the American Hospital Association, the National Rural Health Association, America's Essential Hospitals, and the Medical Group Management Association.
Federal Vaccine Mandate Update:
Earlier today, the Biden administration formally requested the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) federal vaccine mandate. Last week, OSHA announced that it had suspended implementation and enforcement of the ETS pending future developments in the ongoing litigation. The 5th Circuit had earlier issued a nationwide stay of the ETS pending expedited review of the ETS and OSHA’s justifications for it, and then upheld the stay on November 12. The 6th Circuit Court of in Cincinnati was selected by a lottery last week to decide the consolidated challenges.