Senate passage validates years of Argentum advocacy on a renewed White House Conference on Aging, support for multigenerational engagement programs, and initiatives to address social isolation
(Washington, DC) – Argentum, the voice of America’s senior living communities, applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation that renews and modernizes critical aging services programs through Fiscal Year 2030 while advancing several policy priorities championed by Argentum. The Senate-approved bill would strengthen support for older adults, caregivers, and the aging services network while promoting innovative approaches to healthy aging, social engagement, and independence.
“Senate passage of the Older Americans Act reauthorization is a significant step forward for older adults and the providers who support them every day,” said James Balda, Argentum President and CEO. “Argentum has spent more than two years advocating for policies that address social isolation, improve quality of life, and prepare our nation for the realities of a rapidly growing older population. We are pleased to see several of those priorities included in the legislation.”
Among the provisions supported by Argentum are:
- White House Conference on Aging (Section 113), which establishes a renewed national forum to evaluate aging policy priorities and develop recommendations for Congress and the Administration. Argentum has led discussions with federal policymakers, the Administration, and aging stakeholders to advance a new White House Conference on Aging.
- Multigenerational and Civic Engagement Activities (Section 207), which promotes programs that foster engagement across generations and reflects concepts advanced through the Care Across Generations Act.
- Promoting Socialization and Reducing Social Isolation (Section 209), which incorporates elements of the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR) Act to promote social connectedness and help address loneliness among older adults.
Argentum has been actively engaged in the OAA reauthorization effort through congressional outreach, stakeholder coalition-building, and direct advocacy on priorities related to social engagement, intergenerational programming, and healthy aging. During this year’s Public Policy Fly-In, Argentum met with Chairman Scott specifically to raise the need for a renewed Conference on Aging and to advance these policy priorities. We deeply appreciate Chairman Scott’s efforts for advancing these priorities and working across the aisle to ensure unanimous passage of the OAA reauthorization.
The legislation must still be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the President before becoming law. Argentum will continue working with lawmakers including the House 21st Century Long-Term Care Caucus that Argentum help found, to advance the measure through the final stages of the legislative process.
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 argentum.org/membership. Learn more at argentum.org.
###
Media Contact:
Dan Samson
Director, Government Relations
ARGENTUM | Expanding Senior Living
20 F Street, NW | Washington, DC 20001
Office: 703-562-1176
[email protected] | www.argentum.org