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.
In the first three months of 2020, Argentum has:
- Met with more than 100 congressional offices and shared timely updates reaching every office on our federal priorities. Staffers receive an average of three updates each week.
- Placed more than 9,000 phone calls directly from constituents.
- Garnered nearly 3,000 emails sent directly from senior living residents and loved ones, caregivers, and other advocates.
- Brought hundreds of Argentum members together for our virtual Public Policy Institute (PPI).
- Helped more than 250 advocates at our virtual PPI meet directly with congressional offices.
- Hosted seven members of Congress giving short addresses at PPI, who underscored the need for relief for senior living communities.
What it means to you
Last year, Argentum was successful in many advocacy initiatives that made and will continue to make a difference down to the individual community level:
- Secured eligibility for senior living in the Provider Relief Fund and secured at least three distributions for eligible entities. This means some communities were able to get the funds they needed to make up for their significant investments in COVID-19 protection.
- Led a 50-state initiative to establish liability protections for workers and facilities based on our model executive order. Creating the model lets people who understand senior living have a voice.
- Advocated for priority testing and vaccination distribution and funding, ensuring that people in assisted living, for example, were among the first tiers.
- Advanced workforce advocacy efforts to ensure adequate caregiver availability.
- Led and funded the Standing with Seniors media campaign and grassroots efforts, helping raise awareness and educate the public about our industry.
- Supported the reauthorization of Older Americans Act, including the definition of assisted living as a long-term care facility as defined by statute—this is a critical component of our advocacy to secure federal relief for senior living communities.
Read more about our first quarter advocacy efforts and expert tips for effective advocacy in the May/June 2021 edition of Senior Living Executive: The Advocacy Issue.