As policymakers continue to grapple with the growing demand for long-term services and supports, a bipartisan proposal in Congress is taking a different—and notably practical—approach to the challenge. Rather than restructuring programs or imposing new mandates, the Planning for Long‑term Aging Needs (PLAN) Act of 2026 (H.R. 8867) focuses on a fundamental gap in the current system: the lack of awareness and preparation among Americans for their long-term care needs.
Introduced by Rep. Thomas Suozzi (D‑NY) and co-led by Rep. Aaron Bean (R‑FL), the legislation directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national public education campaign to help individuals and families better plan for long-term care.
View full bill text
A Targeted, Common-Sense Approach
The PLAN Act is built around a simple premise: while a significant share of Americans will require long-term care, far too few plan for it early enough. To address this, the bill establishes a public education initiative within the National Clearinghouse for Long‑Term Care Information.
The initiative is designed to:
- Educate Americans—particularly working-age adults—on the likelihood of needing long-term care
- Provide clear, objective information on care options, including home- and community-based services and residential care
- Offer tools to help individuals evaluate financial, housing, and caregiving considerations
- Support family caregivers navigating planning decisions
By focusing on early and informed decision-making, the legislation aims to shift the system from reactive to proactive.
Why This Matters for Senior Living
For the senior living sector, the PLAN Act reinforces several key priorities.
First, it promotes earlier engagement.
Too often, residents and families enter assisted living following a health crisis, leaving little time to consider options or align care with preferences. By encouraging advance planning, the bill supports more thoughtful, better-timed decisions—benefiting both residents and providers.
Second, it raises awareness of assisted living as a core part of the care continuum.
By requiring the federal government to provide balanced information on long-term care options, the legislation elevates the visibility of community-based residential settings alongside home care and institutional services.
Third, it supports a more sustainable financing environment.
When individuals plan ahead—whether through savings, insurance, or other tools—they are less likely to rely solely on Medicaid as a default. This strengthens the private-pay marketplace that underpins much of assisted living.
Finally, it empowers family caregivers.
Providing accessible planning resources helps families make informed decisions earlier, improving care transitions and reducing stress during critical moments.
Recognizing Argentum State Partner Leadership
Argentum would like to thank its state partner, the Empire State Association of Assisted Living (ESAAL), for its leadership in advancing this effort. ESAAL is working closely with Congressman Suozzi’s office to help inform and support the development of the PLAN Act and is actively engaging additional members of the New York congressional delegation to build broader support for the legislation.
This collaboration underscores the importance of strong state‑federal partnerships in shaping policies that reflect the realities of senior living providers and the needs of older adults.
A Positive Step Forward
Importantly, the PLAN Act does not impose new regulatory burdens or reimbursement changes on providers. Instead, it represents a low-cost, high-impact strategy: equipping Americans with the information they need to prepare for aging.
As demand for long-term care continues to rise, policies that encourage planning, transparency, and consumer awareness will play an important role in shaping a more effective and sustainable system.
For senior living providers, the PLAN Act signals a welcome direction—one that aligns public policy with the realities of aging and the value that assisted living communities deliver every day.
For more information, contact Argentum’s Public Policy team.