Press Release: Congress Fails Seniors and Caregivers in COVID Relief Package

Press Release: Congress Fails Seniors and Caregivers in COVID Relief Package

In a press release from Thursday, March 4, 2021, Argentum said, "Seniors and their caregivers will be left behind in a $1.9 trillion rescue package that Congress is expected to pass this weekend." James Balda, Argentum President and CEO, went on to say, "“Relief funding for long-term care remains noticeably and alarmingly absent from the legislation’s provisions. It’s nonsensical that the providers serving the most vulnerable population during this pandemic have been left without meaningful support in this latest package.”

This exclusion from the most recent COVID Relief Package makes it more important than ever for senior living providers to receive funds promised via the CARES Act. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the amount promised to senior living communities has actually been delivered.

“The administration needs to step up and ensure this funding is distributed before communities have to start closing their doors,” said Balda. “If communities close, seniors will lose their homes, caregivers will lose jobs, and the financial burden on Medicaid will rise steeply.”

Click Here to read the press release in full.

Argentum continues to lead efforts on Capitol Hill to include relief funding specifically targeted at senior living operators. Argentum has been working with Senator Susan Collins to advance an amendment that would include substantially more funding to the Provider Relief Fund with a specific reference to assisted living providers, enabling them to access this fund. This amendment is a result of longstanding advocacy efforts with Senator Collins and many other lawmakers in educating them on our needs.

Argentum will continue to inform KSLA on the progress of the legislation and its efforts once the amendment is released. Regardless of if the amendment by Senator Collins is adopted, Argentum is confident that our message is getting through to lawmakers, and has identified several champions in Congress to push our message to the Biden administration on the need for targeted relief.