On September 10, HHS announced the release of $25.5 billion in provider relief, including $17 billion specifically for Phase 4 from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). We invite you to an upcoming webinar to review the requirements of this latest round of relief.

Earlier this morning, HHS announced they would be releasing $25.5 billion in provider relief, to include $17 billion in Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) allocations and $8.5 billion in funding specifically from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) dedicated to rural health providers. We have confirmed that assisted living facilities are included in the definition of “provider” for phase 4 relief, but we are continuing to seek clarification on the specific distribution criteria. Argentum has been calling on the Biden administration for months to release additional funds and to ensure funds are targeted and equitable for senior living providers. We greatly appreciate your engagement in our “Release the PRF” campaign over the past several weeks that has helped apply pressure to the administration on the needs of providers.

We are pleased to share that as we continue our campaign to “Release the PRF,” the Senate sign-on letter has officially garnered the support of 50 senators, with Senator Cassidy joining the addendum. We are also pleased to announce that Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) have teamed up again for a companion to the Senate’s sign-on letter. As you may recall, Reps. Spanberger and Gonzalez co-led the letter back in April calling on targeted and equitable relief, and we are thrilled to have their continued support on this latest letter. It is tentatively scheduled to remain open for signatures through this Friday, September 10. Please reach out to House offices asking for their support. Thank you in advance for your help!

Argentum’s five-week campaign to “Release the PRF” continues with this week’s theme, “Activating the Grassroots.” Earlier today, Argentum sent a letter to President Biden, HHS Secretary Becerra, and HHS Deputy Secretary Palm on the urgent need to release the phase 4 provider relief funds to assisted living providers. The letter follows the Senate sign-on letter that ultimately garnered the support of 49 senators, along with the joint letter that kicked off the campaign, where Argentum was joined by AHCA/NCAL, ASHA, and LeadingAge urging the release of funds to all long-term care providers.

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.