ARGENTUM ADVOCATES
You’re the Power Source That Drives Change in Washington
By Sara Wildberger
with the introduction of the SENIOR Act (Safeguarding Elderly Needs for Infrastruc- ture and Occupational Resources). At the end of January, representatives
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Lori Trahan (D-MA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the legislation. As this is being written, in early February, Argentum is leading an aggressive advocacy effort to increase co-sponsorship on this legis- lation and to draw interest in a potential Senate-companion. At the end of February, when you may
be reading this, the bill may have further progressed. If you’d like to be notified of its progress—and be part of the effort to make it work—the best way is to join Argentum Advocates, at
argentum.org/ argentumadvocates.
Representatives speak out At the briefing after the introduction, the representatives’ remarks showed they un- derstand the need and the benefits of the SENIOR Act. “I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan
SENIOR Act,” said congresswoman Tra- han, “which will ensure that assisted living facilities are able to keep their doors open with specialized caregivers on staff so they can continue caring for our nation's seniors for years to come.” “Since the onset of the pandemic, hard-
hit senior-living facilities across the nation have incurred major financial losses and have been met with an unprecedented workload,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Seniors are among the most vulnerable
populations, and it is our duty to ensure that assisted living communities are provided with
50 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE MARCH/APRIL 2022
major victory for the senior living providers and employees of to- day—and tomorrow—could come
the funding and support they need to keep their doors open and care for our elderly.”
Action continues To recap, the legislation, which came di- rectly at Argentum’s request, addresses two critical issues through new federal appropri- ations: creating a senior living sustainability fund and expanding the senior caregiving workforce. The sustainability fund appropriates $10
billion to assisted living communities that demonstrate significant and uncompensat- ed COVID-19 related losses due to direct senior care, similar to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). For workforce development, and the leg-
islation increases the investment in existing U.S. Health and Human Services programs through four-year grants totaling $1 million per entity to help develop a geriatric care workforce. In March, you can join us at the Argen- tum Public Policy Institute to stand up and show your support—in person—in the nation’s capital. Together, we’ll meet with key policymakers and congresspeople, and we’ll go over the most effective ways to grow awareness and get results. Our goal: Make senior living a priority issue in 2022 and beyond.
Executive directors wanted The Public Policy Institute (PPI) is designed for anyone in senior living, at all levels, to learn the most effective ways to grow aware- ness and get results. Even those who have been in Washington for years need to get the latest briefings—because congress and conditions are constantly changing. Executive directors, managing directors, and managers of programs can play a vital role at PPI. You are the senior living experts—the
most important people in the room when it comes to knowing what the nation’s seniors deal with and what they need to have a high quality of life and safety, now and into the future. You are the ones who struggle to ensure staffing is enough for residents not only to stay safe, but to enjoy well-being that they deserve. You can be the most effective spokespeople for these issues. Some of you may be reading this after
the event has concluded—and that’s okay. There are plenty of ways to be heard throughout the year. Lawmakers and their staff need to hear first-hand from senior living operators, administrators, frontline workers, and other advocates on the con- tinued challenges facing the industry and how they can help.
“I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan SENIOR Act,” said Lori Trahan (D-MA), “which will ensure that assisted living facilities are able to keep their doors open with specialized caregivers on staff so they can continue caring for our nation’s seniors for years to come.”
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