(Alexandria, Va.) – Maggie Elehwany, Argentum Senior Vice President, Public Affairs issued the following statement on today’s House Veterans Affairs Committee Health Subcommittee mark-up for H.R. 1815, the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long-Term Care Act.
I want to thank Chairwoman Miller-Meeks and Ranking Member Brownley for favorably reporting H.R. 1815, as amended for further consideration by the full Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Today’s vote brings this important bill for America’s veterans one step closer to enactment.
Our veteran population is aging rapidly, and their long-term care needs are growing as well. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly half of the 9 million veterans currently enrolled in veterans’ health care programs are 65 or older. Over the next decade, the number of veterans over 75 is expected to approach 3 million. The number of veterans aged 85 or older receiving care from VA health services is expected to grow approximately 535 percent over the next 20 years.
Federal data shows that someone turning age 65 today has a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care in their lifetime. However, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs predicts that approximately 80 percent of veterans will develop the need for long-term services.
H.R. 1815 is a commonsense approach to expand veterans’ access to assisted living services at a time that the aging population is creating growing demand by older Americans and veterans for assisted living and other long-term care options. Many veterans eligible for nursing home care may not need skilled nursing or other institutional settings, and may prefer a more home-like setting that promotes independence such as assisted living when appropriate.
In recent House and Senate testimony, Department of Veterans Affairs officials reported that the agency supports H.R. 1815, with technical amendments. The amended legislation that was reported out of the subcommittee today incorporates these changes. We welcome the VA’s support of this important legislation.
In a 2021 report to Congress, the VA outlined federal savings that could be achieved if veterans were given the option of assisted living care. Approximately 5 percent of veterans residing in federally funded Community Nursing Homes (CNHs) could be appropriately housed in assisted living. In FY2020 the annual cost of a CNH placement was $120,701 compared with $51,600 for assisted living. By utilizing assisted living for individuals who meet the relevant criteria at the time of admission, the VA would save $69,101 per placement per year.
Assisted living communities are home to two million seniors, of which 42% are veterans or their spouses. However, the current VA prohibition on paying for assisted living room and board fees means many low-income veterans who participate in federal assistance programs have had to pay for almost all assisted living costs out of pocket. H.R. 1815 is the first step in addressing this issue by helping VA provide access to a greater range of long-term care options, and we urge the Veterans Affairs Committee to swiftly take up and pass this bill.
About Argentum
Argentum is the leading national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.
Argentum members operate senior living communities that include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), which are home to 2 million vulnerable seniors, of which 42% are veterans or their spouses.
Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living, independent living, continuing care, and memory care services. Along with its state partners, Argentum’s membership represents approximately 75 percent of the senior living industry—an industry with a national economic impact of nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars and responsible for providing over 1.6 million jobs. For more information, visit www.argentum.org.
Contact:
Michael Keegan
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
1650 King Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-599-7412 | [email protected]
