Argentum joined with other senior living stakeholders at an event last week in support of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). The forum included a wide range of senior living policy priorities, from workforce challenges, veterans’ access to assisted living, housing finance, long-term care affordability, and the role of senior living in Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
Senator Moran is Chairman of Veterans Affairs Committee, and as a primary sponsor of the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act (S. 495), he was instrumental in shepherding the pilot program for veterans into the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act signed into law last year. Senator Moran expressed support for continuing efforts to expand choices for veterans and we will work with his office on advancing language during the upcoming appropriations process. Argentum members and staff also met with the senator during our recent Public Policy Fly-In in February.
Senator Moran also discussed the challenges facing long-term care financing, including the need to strengthen Medicaid, protect private-pay options, and expand opportunities for middle-market through existing tax vehicles. Argentum has been working on advancing several of these concepts through current legislation and the appropriations process. The senator serves on the Appropriations Committee making his voice powerful in advancing our priorities.
The event also provided an opportunity to discuss concerns with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. As drafted, Section 901 of the bill restricts large investor purchases of single-family housing that may inadvertently apply to existing senior living communities that include duplexes, cottages, or villas. We will continue to work with lawmakers from both chambers as the package continues negotiations between the House and Senate passed versions.
Lastly, Senator Moran engaged in opportunities to build senior living and long-term care career pipelines through community colleges and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs. We will be following up with his office on strengthening this partnership, working with the Department of Labor to identify funding streams, and potentially connect it to federal incentives like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
We sincerely appreciate Tim and Matt Buchanan of Legend Senior Living for their leadership and support for this event, along with Bob and Bill Thomas of Senior Star, and the numerous senior living leaders and partners who helped make this event possible.