(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Lori Trahan (D-MA) today introduced H.R. 3000, the bipartisan Caring for Seniors 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:
“The Caring for Seniors Act is a two-fold answer to our nation’s long-term care challenges. It both makes critical investments in our workforce and also helps to make care more affordable to more Americans,” said Maggie Elehwany, Argentum Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “Our nation faces a steep task to recruit and retain more than 20 million workers by the year 2040. Every effort must be made to meet this need, and the Caring for Seniors Act advances common-sense and no-cost solutions to meet this objective. And as our nation grows older and more seniors will need care, the cost-reduction program will help to make access to care that much more achievable. We applaud Representatives Fitzpatrick and Trahan for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Caring for Seniors Act and look forward to working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance this important bill this year.”
“The Caring for Seniors Act represents a critical step forward in addressing the workforce challenges facing assisted living communities while expanding access to care for older adults in Massachusetts and beyond,” said Brian Doherty, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association. “By investing in innovative and dedicated workforce training as well as affordability and accessibility measures, this legislation strengthens our ability to meet the needs of an aging population with dignity, independence, and choice. We thank Congresswoman Trahan for her continued leadership and urge the timely passage of this bill.”
“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership in introducing the bipartisan Caring for Seniors Act alongside Congresswoman Trahan,” said Susan Saxinger, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association (PALA). “This important legislation recognizes the urgent need to make assisted living more affordable for seniors and to invest in the workforce that supports them. By expanding access to care and strengthening workforce training, this bill is a meaningful step forward for our aging population and the providers who serve them.”
Key provisions of the Caring for Seniors 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.
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