Later this week, HHS and HRSA are expected to begin distributing approximately $9 billion from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) to eligible health care providers. These funds are part of the $17 billion allocated in Phase 4 of the PRF, which was made possible in part due to Argentum's advocacy efforts to save the PRF from a near-certain elimination and then to release the funds to providers.
The payments are made in accordance with the methodology released in September, which earmarked 25% of the Phase 4 relief as “bonus” payments based on the amount and type of services provided to Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP patients. Argentum had specifically advocated that assisted living providers be eligible for these bonus payments based on the number of Medicare beneficiaries served in our facilities. HHS released a state-by-state breakdown of the Phase 4 payments, available here.
For nearly two months, Argentum has been leading efforts to encourage the Biden Administration to prioritize relief to assisted living providers. This was done through a coordinated campaign, “Don’t Leave Assisted Living Behind, Again” (see press release). The campaign began with a letter to President Biden, and subsequent letters have been sent to President Biden on November 3, and on November 22 to President Biden, HHS Secretary Becerra, and HRSA Acting Administrator Espinosa.
Beyond the letters, the campaign includes billboards in key states, banners and yard signs displayed at communities throughout the country, geotargeted ads directed at policymakers in the White House, HHS, and Congress, grassroots and grasstops outreach, and media placements to get the attention of key lawmakers. We relaunched the standingwithseniors.com website and provided new pre-written letters to be sent from advocates directly to the White House and Congress. And we also circulated a grassroots petition for advocates to add their name to our cause.
We are continuing to advocate for the remaining funds to be released and for these funds to be specifically targeted to assisted living providers. Argentum strongly supports H.R. 5963, the Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act, introduced last month by Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) that would require the release of remaining funds by March 31, 2022. We are also working closely with several other key Congressional offices on legislation to prioritize assisted living caregivers, with introduction expected in the coming weeks.
We greatly thank all Argentum Advocates for your engagement that has helped make today's announcement possible.