Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are leading a bipartisan sign-on letter to HHS asking the Biden Administration to allocate remaining provider relief fund dollars to senior living providers.

Earlier today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter to the Senate Democratic Caucus on the April work period and priorities moving forward. The letter details the plans to consider President Biden's FY2022 Budget and the Build Back Better proposals, which may form the core of the forthcoming infrastructure package. Argentum is working with lawmakers to craft a long-term care section in the legislation that would include immediate provider relief and long-term investments in facilities, technology, and infection control. The full letter is posted below:

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services Secretary by a 50-49 margin. The support from Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins removed the need for the Vice President to cast a tiebreaking vote. Becerra, who has been California's Attorney General since 2017, will be the first Latino to head the department. In addition to tackling the federal COVID-19 response efforts, Becerra will oversee an expansion of the Affordable Care Act.