ARGENTUM ADVOCATES
What You’re Helping to Accomplish In Washington—and What’s Ahead
By Dan Samson T
he adage says that you can’t be in two places at once, but through Ar- gentum, senior living advocates are
able to have their voices heard in Washing- ton while serving their communities. In the past three months alone, Argentum
has: • Met with more than 100 congressional offices and shared timely updates reach- ing every office on our federal priorities. Staffers receive an average of three up- dates each week.
• Placed more than 9,000 phone calls di- rectly from constituents.
• Garnered nearly 3,000 emails sent di- rectly from senior living residents and loved ones, caregivers, and other advo- cates.
• Brought hundreds of Argentum mem- bers together for our virtual Public Poli- cy Institute (PPI).
• Helped more than 250 advocates at our virtual PPI meet directly with congres- sional offices.
• Hosted seven members of Congress giving short addresses at PPI, who un- derscored 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 lia- bility protections for workers and facili- ties based on our model executive order. Creating the model lets people who un- derstand senior living have a voice.
• Advocated for priority testing and vac- cination distribution and funding, en-
suring 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 Se- niors media campaign and grassroots efforts, helping raise awareness and edu- cate 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.
Paving the way Unfortunately, President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package did not include any dedicated relief for long-term care facilities, including senior living. • Argentum had been able to secure several amendments that would have provided direct relief, but these didn’t
Political Landscape in 2021
Political Sea Change • Challenges of the senior living industry remain more daunting than ever in the history of the industry.
• The pandemic continues, stretching the limitations of workforce and financial resources.
• Ongoing vaccination challenges persist. • Current federal relief remains woefully inadequate.
• A Democratic administration and Congress could bring new scrutiny, legislation, and regulation.
42 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE MAY/JUNE 2021 100 Democrats have the narrowest of majority.
50-50 tie is broken as Vice President Kamala Harris, who also serves as President of the Senate and becomes the tie-breaking vote.
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