Initial Senate proposal for new COVID-19 relief and support does not include assisted living and memory care providers in $10-billion funding package.
(Alexandria, Va.) – Assisted living providers are activating a top-to-bottom grassroots effort to convince Congress that their continued reluctance to target assisted living and memory care in COVID-19 relief proposals is akin to leaving these front-line caregivers to twist in the wind and face possible closure due to staggering amounts of uncompensated pandemic costs.
Argentum, the leading advocacy voice for the nation’s professionally managed senior living communities, is leading the charge once again to lay out the case for Congress and the Biden Administration to prioritize these communities, even as billions are being earmarked for groups not on the frontlines protecting older Americans from illness and death.
“Time and again we make the case to Congress that senior living communities have amassed tens of billions of losses over the pandemic’s two-plus years in the United States. In doing so we have gained some considerable support and commitment to act, but when the time comes to protect these frail and elderly residents, it has been met with silence,” said James Balda, president and chief executive officer of Argentum.
“Congress cannot pass another relief package without assisted living included. It is beyond belief that we have seniors with an average age of 85, most of whom have chronic conditions and half with memory loss, living in communities of their choice who may have to move because drug companies and possibly foreign governments matter more in the COVID fight.”
Pointing to losses in key swing states, Balda said the financial threat is real. For example:
- Alaska’s assisted living COVID losses totaled $28 million, yet caregivers only received $551,000 in Provider Relief Fund dollars.
- Arizona’s 2,135 assisted living communities have lost some $739 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $15 million provided in compensation by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $724 million.
- Maine’s 156 assisted living communities have lost some $200 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $4 million provided in compensation by the federal government.
- Montana’s 210 assisted living communities have lost some $103 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $2 million provided in compensation by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $101 million.
- Utah’s 241 assisted living communities have lost some $253 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $5 million provided in compensation by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $248 million
- West Virginia’s 74 assisted living communities have lost some $73 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $1.5 million provided in relief by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $71 million.
Nationally, assisted living only received 1/12 of the relief of skilled nursing facilities even though they care for the same number of seniors. Now facilities are closing just as seniors will need an additional booster shot and this could be the last time Congress provides COVID dollars this year.
Balda said over the next days, senior living advocates and members will be laying out their arguments that this latest COVID-19 package omits the obvious. “It is simple math. The money spent to ward off a once-in-a-lifetime virus, to pay workers extra hero pay, to reconfigure buildings, to insulate seniors so they may live … all of this requires some level of compensation. Assisted living providers will not relent until equitable relief is realized,” he said.
A new letter to Congressional leaders outlines more of the Argentum argument for relief and support. Read the letter here.
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 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. These numbers will continue to grow as the U.S. population ages.
Argentum’s programs and initiatives are driven by its membership. For more information about joining Argentum, please visit www.argentum.org.
Contact:
Patrick Connole
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
1650 King Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-599-7412 | [email protected]
(Alexandria, Va.) – Assisted living providers are activating a top-to-bottom grassroots effort to convince Congress that their continued reluctance to target assisted living and memory care in COVID-19 relief proposals is akin to leaving these front-line caregivers to twist in the wind and face possible closure due to staggering amounts of uncompensated pandemic costs.
Argentum, the leading advocacy voice for the nation’s professionally managed senior living communities, is leading the charge once again to lay out the case for Congress and the Biden Administration to prioritize these communities, even as billions are being earmarked for groups not on the frontlines protecting older Americans from illness and death.
“Time and again we make the case to Congress that senior living communities have amassed tens of billions of losses over the pandemic’s two-plus years in the United States. In doing so we have gained some considerable support and commitment to act, but when the time comes to protect these frail and elderly residents, it has been met with silence,” said James Balda, president and chief executive officer of Argentum.
“Congress cannot pass another relief package without assisted living included. It is beyond belief that we have seniors with an average age of 85, most of whom have chronic conditions and half with memory loss, living in communities of their choice who may have to move because drug companies and possibly foreign governments matter more in the COVID fight.”
Pointing to losses in key swing states, Balda said the financial threat is real. For example:
- Alaska’s assisted living COVID losses totaled $28 million, yet caregivers only received $551,000 in Provider Relief Fund dollars.
- Arizona’s 2,135 assisted living communities have lost some $739 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $15 million provided in compensation by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $724 million.
- Maine’s 156 assisted living communities have lost some $200 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $4 million provided in compensation by the federal government.
- Montana’s 210 assisted living communities have lost some $103 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $2 million provided in compensation by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $101 million.
- Utah’s 241 assisted living communities have lost some $253 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $5 million provided in compensation by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $248 million
- West Virginia’s 74 assisted living communities have lost some $73 million over the course of the pandemic, with only $1.5 million provided in relief by the federal government. This has resulted in an unsustainable loss of more than $71 million.
Nationally, assisted living only received 1/12 of the relief of skilled nursing facilities even though they care for the same number of seniors. Now facilities are closing just as seniors will need an additional booster shot and this could be the last time Congress provides COVID dollars this year.
Balda said over the next days, senior living advocates and members will be laying out their arguments that this latest COVID-19 package omits the obvious. “It is simple math. The money spent to ward off a once-in-a-lifetime virus, to pay workers extra hero pay, to reconfigure buildings, to insulate seniors so they may live … all of this requires some level of compensation. Assisted living providers will not relent until equitable relief is realized,” he said.
A new letter to Congressional leaders outlines more of the Argentum argument for relief and support. Read the letter at: https://www.argentum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Argentum_Supplemental_Apr1_Final.pdf
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 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. These numbers will continue to grow as the U.S. population ages.
Argentum’s programs and initiatives are driven by its membership. For more information about joining Argentum, please visit www.argentum.org.
Contact:
Patrick Connole
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
1650 King Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-599-7412 | [email protected]
