ARGENTUM ADVOCATES


Argentum Advocates for You C


ongress has returned from its Au- gust recess, and thanks to the efforts of Argentum Advocates, many law-


makers have returned with fresh perspectives on the value of senior living. Throughout


the Summer, Argentum


Advocates from coast to coast helped am- plify our message by hosting roughly two dozen visits with lawmakers at senior living communities. These visits are integral to our public policy efforts, as they allow lawmakers to meet with residents and caregivers and hear their stories, and see how senior living is “home” for nearly two million Americans. Lawmakers are able to bring these stories


back to Capitol Hill when considering legis- lation to help meet the industry’s challenges. Notably, just before the August recess, the Senate Appropriations Committee ad- vanced its annual spending bill, which in- cluded funding for federal training programs directly benefiting senior living: Job Corps, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and federal apprenticeship programs. Argentum staff and lobbyists have pressed


lawmakers to invest in these programs, and specifically to address the workforce challenges in long-term care. As a result of our education campaign, report language was included directing federal agencies to review the impact of workforce shortages on long-term care affordability and acces- sibility; strengthen and expand access to HCBS, facilitate State planning, encourage innovative models that benefit the workforce and care recipients, and support quality and accountability. Importantly, because we were able to


make our voices heard through a grassroots campaign, lawmakers in the Senate did not advance the devastating cuts that House law- makers have sought, which would notably eliminate all funding for Job Corps. Argentum currently co-leads a pilot program at Job Corps centers in Nevada,


U.S. Representative Jim McGovern toured a community in his Massachusetts district, meeting with residents and staff and seeing first-hand daily life in a community. He was also able to learn more about how our legislative priorities can help more seniors get the care they need, and shortly after his visit he signed on as a cosponsor of one of our bills!


SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 ARGENTUM.ORG 39


Kentucky, and Maryland, demonstrating se- nior living career opportunities to students in occupations that span caregiving and nurs- ing, hospitality and resident service, building maintenance and housekeeping, sales and marketing, office support and management. The Senate Appropriations package saved funding for this vital program and call for investing $1.76 billion over the next year in Job Corps Centers. Additionally, the Senate package allocates $2.9 billion for WIOA, $290 million for Registered Apprenticeships, $48.2 million for the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program, $1.4 billion for Health Professions Workforce Development, and $302 million for Nursing Workforce De- velopment Programs under HHS. Negotiations over the budget will contin-


ue in the coming weeks as the House and Senate seek to resolve their differences. Ar- gentum will continue to advocate on behalf of our industry, but we need everyone’s help as Argentum Advocates to tell the story of


senior living so lawmakers better understand our priorities. That’s why earlier this Summer we


launched a toolkit that includes everything needed to successfully host a visit: sample invitations to send to lawmakers, a sample itinerary or tour structure, best practices for preparing for your visit, how to make your request for support of legislation and continue your conversation after the event concludes, and information on how to get started and work with Argentum and your State Partners in setting up these events. We are calling on all Argentum Advocates


to help tell our story through these visits with lawmakers. Please join us this Fall as we add to the growing list of lawmakers who have toured a senior living community and have come away with a better appreciation of our work and why we must invest in our workforce, residents, and the future of our industry.


Highlights from recent community visits:


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