Last Friday, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released an 81-page Request for Information (RFI), Delivering an Affordable Home Care Guarantee for American Families, seeking input on a universal home care benefit, nursing home quality, and long-term care workforce challenges. While the RFI does not propose federal regulation of assisted living, it explicitly includes assisted living services in discussions about a potential federal home care benefit and signals growing congressional interest in the sector.
The RFI builds on a May Dear Colleague letter backed by 18 Senators and feedback gathered through more than 95 listening sessions with stakeholders. Although it is not legislation, the document is widely expected to serve as a blueprint for future Democratic long-term care proposals.
Why It Matters for Assisted Living
The RFI asks whether a future universal home care benefit should include assisted living services and whether Medicaid coverage should be aligned with such a benefit. It also seeks information on state experiences delivering home and community-based services (HCBS) in assisted living settings.
In addition, the document highlights proposals that could expand federal involvement in HCBS through nationwide quality measures, state HCBS ombudsman programs, workforce standards, and additional scrutiny of private investment in care settings.
A Continuing Focus on Oversight
The RFI follows increased attention from Senate Democrats on assisted living oversight. In 2024, Senators Wyden, Warren, and Gillibrand asked the Government Accountability Office to update its review of Medicaid-funded assisted living communities. The resulting report, released earlier this year, examined oversight and resident safety issues in assisted living.
Taken together, these efforts suggest growing interest among some policymakers in expanding the federal role in HCBS and assisted living programs.
Argentum’s Response
Argentum supports efforts to improve affordability, expand long-term care options, and strengthen the workforce, but continues to oppose making assisted living part of a federal entitlement benefit through Medicare or a mandatory Medicaid benefit.
Assisted living is fundamentally a housing-based model designed to support independence, choice, and quality of life. Argentum believes that preserving state flexibility is essential to maintaining the distinct character of assisted living and avoiding policies that would shift communities toward a nursing home model.
Argentum is working with members, state partners, and policymakers to develop comments ahead of the December 18 deadline and ensure that the assisted living perspective is reflected in the long-term care debate.