Since taking office, President Trump has issued more than three dozen executive orders, quickly reshaping the regulatory and policy landscape. These executive actions, along with federal agency memos and directives, signal major shifts in policies affecting healthcare, workforce regulations, and long-term care services. As a result, Argentum is closely monitoring each development to assess its impact on senior living communities, the residents they serve, and the workforce that supports them.
While change often brings uncertainty, it also presents an incredible opportunity. The senior living industry has a rare chance to influence policies that expand access, create affordability, and build long-term sustainability. A new administration, a pro-business atmosphere, and potential tax code modifications mean we can push for policies that support more seniors accessing our communities. This is a pivotal moment, and we must take advantage of it.
An Unprecedented Opportunity to Move Senior Living Policy Landscape Forward
Our industry has long been a preferred option for older adults needing care, offering a cost-effective, high-quality alternative to other care settings. Seniors overwhelmingly favor senior living, as reflected in consistent high satisfaction ratings. These facts, coupled with the reality that we save the government money, make us a vital part of the national discussion on healthcare, aging, and long-term care.
“We are in a moment of great potential for senior living,” said Maggie Elehwany, Argentum’s senior vice president of public affairs. “We have the chance to demonstrate our value—how we save the government money and how seniors love living in our communities. Lawmakers need to hear this message, and we must be the ones to tell them.”
Throughout our advocacy efforts, including at the upcoming Public Policy Institute (PPI), we will educate lawmakers on how federal policies can increase access to senior living, providing more choices for aging Americans while reducing costs for public healthcare programs. This is a unique opportunity for us to be part of shaping a pro-senior living policy agenda for the future.
A Rapidly Changing Environment
At the same time, we must be prepared for regulatory changes that could negatively affect the industry. Within days of assuming office, the administration rescinded 78 executive actions from the previous administration. A regulatory freeze was also put in place, temporarily halting all proposed rules from moving forward while withdrawing those that had not yet been finalized. While this freeze did not apply to finalized rules—such as the nursing home staffing mandate and the HCBS 80/20 rule—there remains the possibility that agencies will issue new regulations to modify or rescind them.
One early example of policy uncertainty was a January 27 memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget, which instructed federal agencies to pause activities related to federal financial assistance disbursement. This caused significant confusion around Medicaid and HUD payments, though it was quickly rescinded. However, it remains a warning sign of potential funding disruptions that could affect senior living communities.
Executive Orders Affecting Senior Living
While the new administration’s focus on business growth and deregulation may benefit senior living, we are also monitoring executive actions that could present challenges. Key areas of concern include:
- Healthcare and Medicaid Funding: Potential changes to the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug pricing provisions and modifications to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement structures could impact how senior living communities operate. Any reductions in Medicaid funding could make it more difficult for lower-income seniors to afford quality care, leading to potential resident displacement. Changes to Medicare policies, particularly those affecting home health and long-term care services, could shift the demand for different levels of care, impacting community occupancy rates and financial stability.
- Workforce and Immigration Policies: Changes to immigration policies—such as the “Remain in Mexico” policy and limitations on Temporary Protected Status (TPS)—could restrict access to a diverse and skilled workforce that senior living communities depend on.”Senior living already faces a workforce crisis,” said Elehwany. “Any changes that restrict the talent pipeline—whether through immigration reform or new labor regulations—could worsen staffing shortages.”
Senior living providers are already struggling to find enough caregivers, nurses, and support staff. Stricter immigration policies could further shrink the available labor pool, increasing operational costs due to higher wages, overtime pay, and staffing shortages. Additionally, visa restrictions may reduce the availability of foreign-trained healthcare workers, who play a crucial role in the senior living workforce.
- DEI and Anti-Discrimination Policies: New directives that alter federal agencies’ definitions of gender and limit DEI programs could create compliance uncertainties for senior living communities that have invested in inclusive hiring and training practices. Many senior living providers have implemented robust DEI initiatives to foster a more inclusive workplace and improve resident experiences. New policies that eliminate federal support for these initiatives could lead to increased scrutiny, legal complexities, and confusion about best practices. Furthermore, there could be broader cultural and operational implications if communities need to reevaluate training programs, hiring processes, and resident engagement strategies to align with new federal guidelines.
Remaining Vigilant Amid Policy Shifts
While we are seizing the opportunity to champion pro-senior living policies, we must also remain vigilant in protecting against policies that could create unintended obstacles. Workforce regulations, Medicaid funding, and public health directives are all in flux, and Argentum is committed to staying ahead of these changes.
“We cannot afford to be passive observers,” Elehwany emphasized. “We need to be proactive, ensuring that our industry continues to have access to a workforce capable of providing the highest quality care. If we are not actively engaged, decisions could be made that inadvertently harm our ability to recruit and retain skilled caregivers.”
Argentum is tracking each executive order and policy directive, analyzing their impact on senior living operations, funding, and workforce development. We are committed to advocating for policy decisions that support seniors’ ability to choose senior living communities as their preferred housing and care option.
Make Your Voice Heard at the Public Policy Institute
Given the urgency of these policy shifts, it has never been more important for senior living professionals to take an active role in advocacy. We have a chance to help shape the policies that will define our industry’s future.
One of the best ways to ensure our voices are heard is by attending Argentum’s Public Policy Institute (PPI) on March 12-13 in Washington, D.C.
“If every Argentum member sends just one representative to PPI, we could have voices from all 50 states and representation from more than 75% of the senior living industry meeting directly with elected officials,” said Elehwany. “That kind of presence would send a powerful message about the importance of our industry and the need for policies that support our workforce and residents.”
PPI will feature high-level discussions on federal policy developments, expert insights on regulatory changes, and direct engagement with lawmakers. Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge of how recent executive actions may affect their operations while advocating for industry priorities.
“The coming months will define the regulatory framework for years to come,” Elehwany noted. “We need everyone who cares about the future of senior living to step up and be part of the conversation.”
Get Involved with Argentum Advocacy
Argentum is the leading advocate for national, federal, state, legal, and media advocacy to protect the best interests of your senior living business and the residents you serve. By becoming an Argentum Advocate, you can help shape policies that impact the industry, engage with legislators, and stay informed on critical issues. Additionally, contributing to the Argentum Advocacy Fund strengthens our collective voice and supports lobbying efforts that safeguard the future of senior living.
Your involvement makes a difference. Learn more about Argentum’s advocacy efforts today to ensure that senior living continues to thrive and serve more seniors across the country.
