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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Late yesterday, Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) sent a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra urging equitable relief for senior living providers, and were joined by 57 other members of Congress (34 Democrats and 23 Republicans). This was an exceptional bipartisan show of support from Congress and accompanies the Senate letter led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) that drew a full quarter of the chamber (11 Democrats and 14 Republicans). Both Representative Spanberger and Senator Sinema issued press releases (House, Senate) to highlight the strong show of support on this issue.