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.

Argentum is launching a targeted five-week campaign today to urge the Biden administration to release the remaining provider relief funds (PRF) as expeditiously as possible (see press release). The campaign is intended to increase pressure on the White House, which has full authority to release the PRF, through direct outreach to the administration, grassroots engagement, strategic media placements, and congressional support. Each week of the campaign will feature a different theme and will ask for active engagement among everyone in the senior living industry to ensure our message is amplified as loud as possible.

Thank you all again for your engagement and extraordinary efforts that helped successfully protect the provider relief funds (PRF) from being repurposed for infrastructure projects. The Senate is currently in the process of considering the bipartisan infrastructure package, and we are remaining vigilant in our effort to protect the PRF as amendments are considered and as the House will consider the package next.

Argentum thanks you! As we noted on Wednesday, the Senate has agreed to a deal on the bipartisan infrastructure package. We are now pleased to report that due to your unprecedented outreach to Capitol Hill, we were able to fight off all proposed cuts to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). We thank you and we thank our partner associations who fought with us to protect the PRF.

As a brief update, the Senate is proceeding to debate on the infrastructure bill (see a summary here) after last evening's procedural vote. Argentum has received confirmation from key Senate negotiators that the Provider Relief Fund is protected, but because language is still being drafted at this time, and out of an abundance of caution, we are remaining vigilant until we are able to view the final pay-for language. We thank you all who engaged in unprecedented grassroots efforts. Please stay engaged today as more information will follow.

A Senate bipartisan infrastructure deal has been reached, and Argentum has confirmed directly from Senate negotiators that your voice was heard. We have received the outline of the plan and are cautiously optimistic that, through your efforts, the bulk of the Provider Relief Fund was protected. We are cautious because the situation is still fluid and negotiations can change. However, we wanted to express our sincere gratitude to each of you; the industry has stepped up in an unprecedented way. Please stay engaged as we learn more details.

Today we have received additional confirmation that the remaining Provider Relief Fund (PRF) is being considered as a source of revenue to pay for the bipartisan infrastructure package. We are calling on all senior living advocates to help amplify our message to oppose this effort. We anticipate that these negotiations will be finalized over the weekend and formal consideration may begin as soon as Monday, which means all outreach in the next 24 hours is critical. Please see several resources included here to voice strong opposition.

Urgent action is needed now: Provider Relief Fund dollars may be in jeopardy.

Earlier today, Argentum submitted formal comments in response to an interim final rule issued by CMS in May that would require congregate care facilities to educate all residents and staff about COVID-19 vaccines, offer vaccines to all residents and staff, and report certain data regarding vaccination and therapeutic treatments.