(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today introduced the bipartisan Safeguarding Elderly Needs through Innovation & Occupational Resources (SENIOR) Act. Maggie Elehwany, Argentum Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Brian Doherty, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA), and Susan Saxinger, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA), issued the following statements:
“Argentum and its 35 state partners applaud Representatives Trahan and Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the SENIOR Act,” Elehwany said. “The SENIOR Act represents the most consequential investment in workforce development for assisted living communities to date. Time is of the essence; the U.S. will need to fill more than 20 million jobs by 2040 to care for America’s seniors. Additionally, this important bill takes a significant step in making our communities more accessible to more seniors. We look forward to working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Caring for our seniors is not a partisan issue.”
“The SENIOR Act is timely care-giving workforce legislation that will make a real difference in the lives of older adults in Massachusetts,” Doherty said. “The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association applauds Congresswoman Trahan for introducing this bill and for her leadership in developing innovative solutions to expand access to assisted living and to alleviate the historic workforce shortage facing our communities. We urge the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation this year.”
“The Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association commends Representative Fitzpatrick for sponsoring this critical bipartisan legislation, and his commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our aging population,” Saxinger said. “The SENIOR Act addresses the critical issues facing assisted living and personal care providers in Pennsylvania and across the country, ensuring increased access and affordability of care while tackling persistent workforce challenges. PALA fully supports this bill and looks forward to it being passed and signed into law.”
Key provisions of the SENIOR Act include:
- Cost-Reduction Program for Lower-Income Seniors: The legislation includes a cost-reduction program aimed at making assisted living more affordable for lower-income seniors. By saving Medicaid money through this program, we can ensure that all seniors have access to the care they need without financial hardship.
- Workforce Training Programs: The legislation redirects existing Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) workforce training programs, such as Job Corps and American Job Centers, to offer specializations in senior care. This will help strengthen the senior living labor force by investing in workforce development programs explicitly designed to meet the needs of older adults.
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 professionally managed communities in the senior living industry—an industry with a national economic impact of nearly $250 billion dollars and more than 1.6 million jobs.
About the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA)
PALA is a professional not-for-profit trade association representing Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities for-profit and not-for-profit that vary in size from small owners to large state and national corporations. PALA’s mission is to strengthen the capability of its membership to provide affordable, community based, person centered care and services in high quality, state licensed personal care homes and assisted living residences throughout Pennsylvania.
About the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA)
The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association (Mass-ALA) is a not-for-profit association, dedicated to professionally operated assisted living residences in Massachusetts that provide housing and services for individuals with varied needs and income levels.
Mass-ALA serves as the voice of assisted living in Massachusetts, providing information and education, and advocating on behalf of our members and the seniors they serve.
Contact:
Michael Keegan
Manager, Media and Public Affairs
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
20 F Street NW, 7th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
703-599-7412 | [email protected]
