Argentum Advocates

BREAKING: Court Extends Haitian TPS Employment Authorization Through July 27, 2026

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:59:20 GMT

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a ruling yesterday that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for Haitian beneficiaries must remain in effect until at least July 27, 2026, extending the current deadline beyond the previously announced July 24, 2026 expiration date. The court denied the Administration's request to allow TPS protections to terminate on July 24, finding that the government had not met the legal standard for an emergency stay and noting that the case formally returns to the D.C. Circuit on July 27.

Featured Podcast: Argentum CEO on VERSED powered by VIUM Capital

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:05:36 GMT

Argentum President & CEO James Balda recently joined Steve Kennedy, Executive Managing Director at VIUM Capital, on a new episode of the podcast VERSED, powered by VIUM Capital, for a timely conversation on the forces shaping the future of senior housing.

The episode explores the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities—from workforce shortages and access to capital to a widening supply-demand gap that signals a significant shortfall in senior housing units—alongside rising costs and regulatory uncertainty. The discussion offers candid insights and strategic perspective for leaders navigating a rapidly evolving market.

Listen here.

2025 Recap: Senior Living Advocacy Achievements

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:08:47 GMT

Argentum made significant progress over the past year in advancing policy priorities to increase access and affordability of senior living and address our workforce challenges.

For these efforts, Argentum's advocacy once again earned national recognition, being named as one of The Hill newspaper's top lobbyists of 2025, the fifth consecutive year earning this award.

Most notable, Argentum secured a years-long policy objective in January with the signing into law of the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act, part of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This law establishes a three-year pilot program for veterans to choose assisted living for their care. Argentum began working with key lawmakers following a 2021 report from the VA on the projected long-term care needs of veterans and the need to expand options such as assisted living. Since enactment, Argentum has met with senior leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs on implementing and expanding the scope of the pilot program.

Government Funding Deal is Reached, Votes Planned this Week

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:08:07 GMT

The U.S. Senate voted 60-40 last night on a procedural motion for legislation to reopen the federal government. A final vote may happen as early as today, and will be followed with a vote in the House later this week.

The agreement will fund parts of the government for the remainder of the fiscal year (through next September), while most of the government will operate only on a short-term continuing resolution (CR) through January 30, 2026. Eight Senate Democrats agreed to this deal on the promise of Senate Republicans holding a vote on extension of the enhanced ACA health insurance subsidies next month; however, there is no guarantee this will pass the Senate or even be taken up for a vote in the House. It's possible that if an extension of the ACA subsidies does not happen that Senate Democrats would once again force a shutdown when the CR through January expires.

The agreement includes full funding for three of the twelve appropriations bills: MilCon-VA, Agriculture and the Legislative Branch; it does not include the Labor-HHS appropriations bill, where Argentum’s policy priorities are primarily located. The package would also reverse the terminations of federal employees that occurred during the shutdown and would prevent future layoffs through January 30.

What to Expect in the 2025 Federal Government Shutdown

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:46:47 GMT

The federal government shut down on Wednesday, after lawmakers were unable to come to an agreement on a funding bill. To help you understand what the shutdown means for older adults, their families, and assisted living communities, Argentum published this article along with the below information.

Only federal services are impacted. The current federal government shutdown impacts federal government services only, not state, county or local services. Each federal agency has prepared its own contingency plan outlining which staff are considered essential and which are non-essential. These plans also specify which operations will continue.

It is unclear how long the shutdown will last. Any funding bill requires 60 votes to advance. However, Republicans hold only 53 seats in the Senate, meaning they have to secure at least seven Democratic votes while keeping every Republican on board. The Senate will meet again on Friday but it is unlikely to end the impending shutdown.

(Read more for a list of frequently asked questions).

House Passes H.R. 1, Sends to President Trump

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:41:27 GMT

This afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 218-214 to pass H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation package to advance major parts of the Trump administration agenda. The package was passed without changes from the Senate-passed version, and will go to President Trump to be signed into law for an expected July 4 signing ceremony tomorrow.

As we noted previously, the legislation does not directly impact Medicaid assisted living programs. Argentum has actively advocated against any cuts to Medicaid assisted living and successfully defeated reductions to the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), which could have drastically reduced Medicaid spending and potentially impacted assisted living. As the legislation is implemented, Argentum will be working directly with our State Partners to ensure that state-level reforms do not impact assisted living programs or participants.

The final package also includes a tax deduction for seniors of $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for couples. The deduction phases out beginning at $75,000 ($150,000 for couples) and completely at $175,000 ($250,000 for couples). The deduction is set to expire in 2028. While this measure is not the targeted long-term care tax credit Argentum sought, it will help to offset some long-term care expenses to increase access and affordability of care. We will continue to advocate for the bipartisan Credit for Caring Act (H.R. 2036 and S. 925) to provide a $5,000 tax credit specific for long-term care expenses as a separate measure this Congress.

Argentum also worked with a broad coalition to successfully secure a measure to allow tax-exempt distributions from 529 savings plans to be used for workforce development purposes, including credentialing programs. Argentum has advocated for this concept through the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151 & S. 756) to help senior living workers seeking to advance their career through various credentialing programs.

Other notable provisions of the legislation include:

House Plans to Vote Today on Senate's Budget Reconciliation Bill

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:43:49 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives is planning to vote as early as today on H.R. 1, after the Senate voted 51-50 yesterday to pass the budget reconciliation package to advance major parts of the Trump administration agenda. If passed by the House, it will go to President Trump to be signed into law; however, if amended, it will need to go back to the Senate again or potentially to be conferenced with the Senate version.

Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate yesterday, after three Republican Senators voted against the bill, Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Susan Collins (R-ME). Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made a late decision to support passage of the bill after winning numerous concessions from Republican leadership, but noted she expects the House to make further changes to continue negotiations with the Senate.

Importantly, the Senate-passed bill does not impact Medicaid assisted living programs. This has been a top policy priority of Argentum and we have been working closely with policymakers to ensure they understood the critical importance of this program and potential harm to seniors who participate in the program if cuts were imposed.

Senate Finance Committee Reconciliation Bill Update

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 21:40:45 GMT

We are sharing an important update regarding the recent release of draft reconciliation legislation by the Senate Finance Committee. While still subject to change as it advances through the legislative process and reconciliation with the House, several provisions in this draft bill could have meaningful implications for the senior living industry. Argentum is monitoring these developments closely and will continue to provide timely updates as the process unfolds. Below is a summary of key highlights from the draft legislation most relevant to senior living providers. (Please note: This is not a comprehensive review.)

Rep. Virginia Foxx visits Generations Ashe to discuss Intergenerational Care Settings

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:15:00 GMT

U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) recently visited Generations Ashe at the Ashe County Senior Center in West Jefferson, North Carolina to promote inter-generational programming and to discuss the Care Across Generations Act (H.R. 1812), Argentum-supported legislation to provide grants to co-locate childcare centers with long-term care setting in an effort to promote multigenerational care models and connection. Watch the video.

Hearings Today on Reconciliation Bill: What's In It for Senior Living?

jmckay@argentum.org (Argentum) — Tue, 13 May 2025 17:20:37 GMT

The House Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce committees are holding hearings this afternoon on their respective portions of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," the budget reconciliation package to advance major portions of the Trump administration agenda. Both hearings begin at 2:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

The proposal includes significant Medicaid reforms that would reduce federal spending by roughly $715 billion over ten years. This is done by reducing the Federal matching funds ("FMAP"), implementing work requirements for "able-bodied" adults, adding more frequent eligibility checks, limiting the ability of states to use provider taxes to finance their portion of Medicaid expenses, and imposing cost sharing for Medicaid expansion enrollees who earn 100%-133% of the federal poverty level. However, it does not include per capita caps for states as many lawmakers have sought. Importantly, the package does not make cuts to Medicaid assisted living programs and Argentum will continue to advocate throughout this process against cuts that would harm access to care for seniors.

Major elements of the package include: