Yesterday, we hosted our monthly policy briefing for Argentum Advocates. You can now watch a recording or download the slides from the briefing. Below, you'll find the items we discussed and as always, do not hesitate to reach out with questions or comments.

A new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) specific to COVID-19 in the workplace was published today in the Federal Register. The ETS was issued on June 10 by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Most of the provisions require employers to be in compliance within 14 days (July 5), while all other provisions require compliance within 30 days of publication (July 21).

HHS is expected to make an announcement early next week on a fourth tranche from the provider relief fund (PRF) for all eligible health care providers, including long-term care providers. While specific details are not yet known, it is anticipated that the methodology will focus on provider losses from Q3 and Q4 of 2020 and Q1 of 2021. The total amount of PRF dollars remaining is estimated at $20-30 billion.

The University of Chicago released a research report finding that nearly two-thirds of senior living communities had no COVID-19 related deaths, including 67% of independent living properties, 64% of assisted living facilities, and 61% of memory care facilities.

Argentum has released new infographics on the impact of COVID-19 for all 50 states, which include projected losses through Q2 of 2021. These infographics are modeled for each state based on a national model showing $22.5 billion in uncompensated financial losses to date and growing to $29.8 billion through the first half of 2021. Many of the top states for senior living providers, where 70% of all communities are located, show providers have incurred hundreds of millions of dollars to upwards of $2.4 billion due to the financial burdens imposed by the pandemic.

Earlier today, the Biden Administration released its budget request to Congress, seeking $6 trillion in spending to include both the $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan and the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan. The Jobs plan and Families plan form the core of the administration’s Build Back Better agenda and include an investment of $400 billion to expand access to long-term services and supports for older Americans and strengthen the care workforce. More information on the president’s budget is included in the Appendix document, including specifics on program funding proposals.

In the coming days, the Biden Administration is expected to announce the next tranche from the Provider Relief Fund. Argentum has been leading advocacy efforts to prioritize immediate relief to senior living providers, and we are calling on all senior living advocates to amplify our message to HHS and the Biden Administration: Relief must be prioritized to senior living providers!

Yesterday, the Treasury Department released an interim final rule  regarding the $350 billion in state and local funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funds include $195.3 billion directed toward state governments, which may be then released to private entities at the state’s discretion.

The adage says that you can’t be in two places at once, but through Argentum, senior living advocates are able to have their voices heard in Washington while serving their communities.

The White House released a fact sheet earlier this week on the Biden Administration's priorities for older Americans. Along with highlighting a presidential proclamation to declare May 2021 as Older Americans Month, the fact sheet calls attention to the proposed investment of $400 billion to expand access to long-term services and supports for older Americans, specifically referencing assisted living facilities among the places that older adults receive care.