The COVID-19 pandemic has been an existential crisis for the seniors housing industry, where the people most susceptible to the disease are the same who live in the communities. But many still believe in long-term viability and success of the sector. That was the message of panelists in a discussion titled “Four Weeks Out from the General Election: A Policy Discussion” held at the 2020 NIC Fall Conference. Being held virtually this year due to the pandemic, the event is still going on this week. Panelists included moderator Soledad O’Brien, …
Legal Issues
HHS to Distribute $20B in Additional Pandemic Relief to Providers, Including Assisted Living Operators
by Jeff Shaw
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will begin accepting applications on Monday for a Phase III distribution of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The new round of coronavirus pandemic relief totals $20 billion, and assisted living is included in the list of eligible providers. HHS is providing the opportunity for providers that have already received funding to apply for additional funding based on financial losses and changes in operating expenses as a result of COVID-19. Also, providers that were previously ineligible, such as those that …
Nursing Homes Urge Congress to Provide Additional COVID-19 Funding for Health and Long-Term Care Providers
by Jeff Shaw
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has warned Congress that if the federal government doesn’t pass another COVID-19 funding package, public health agencies and healthcare providers could find themselves less than completely prepared heading into the cold and flu season, as well as underfunded to handle another major spike in COVID-19 cases. The Washington, D.C.-based organization represents more than 14,000 nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country that provide care to approximately 5 million people each year. About 70 …
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Argentum has hired Maggie Elehwany for the newly created role of senior vice president of public affairs. In this role, she will be responsible for leading Argentum’s public policy team and working with Argentum’s Public Policy Committee to build upon the Alexandria-based association’s government relations efforts and strengthening its public affairs strategy. “We believe her leadership and expertise will be vital in elevating awareness of the public policy priorities most critical to the senior living industry’s long-term health,” says James Balda, Argentum president and CEO. Elehwany joins …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has announced that assisted living facilities may now apply for funding under the Provider Relief Fund Phase II. The move comes after months of lobbying by seniors housing industry associations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, while skilled nursing facilities received millions of dollars in governmental support, assisted living communities were left out of much of the funding. “Argentum, along with our trade association partners, have been advocating on behalf of …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) has confirmed that assisted living operators are due to receive funds from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Provider Relief Fund. The D.C.-based organization, along with other advocates for the seniors housing industry, have been lobbying and petitioning for months to make sure private-pay seniors housing would receive federal stimulus dollars in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This morning we received the most definitive news to date about an allocation of funds from the HHS Provider Relief …
Legal protections are complicated in the world of COVID-19. By Matt Keenan and Jenn Hatcher, Shook, Hardy & Bacon The owners and operators of long-term care facilities know better than almost everyone does how the destructive evil known as COVID-19 has changed lives in every shape, manner and form. It has also dramatically altered the most basic standards that have governed the long-term care (LTC) industry for years. And yet, today there remains enormous uncertainty about where the science and medicine will take us. With so much ambiguity at play, …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) have issued a letter to the National Governors Association asking for stronger state support regarding lab processing and personal protective equipment in long-term care. “With the major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we are very concerned this trend will lead to a dramatic increase in cases in long term facilities,” states the letter. “Recent independent research by Harvard Medical School, Brown University’s School of Public Health and University of …
Georgia Governor Signs Bill Requiring Licenses, Certifications for Assisted Living Communities
by Jeff Shaw
ATLANTA — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed House Bill 987, adjusting the state laws for assisted living and personal care home residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican state representatives Sharon Cooper and Brian Strickland co-sponsored the bill. Under the new laws, seniors housing communities will be required to pass a slew of state certification and licensing requirements. The bill defines personal care homes as any community that provides housing, food service and personal services such as medication administration or assistance with activities of daily living. Assisted living and large …
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Propel Insurance, a leading retail insurance agency and a portfolio company of Flexpoint Ford, has acquired HealthCare Services (HCS), a boutique risk management and insurance consulting firm based in Knoxville. HCS specializes in serving senior care organizations. The combined agency expects to generate more than $120 million of annual revenue in 2020 and will have seven offices across the country. The acquisition will expand Propel’s existing senior living practice, as well as the Charlotte, North Carolina-based company’s geographic spread. Ed Sims and Taylor Preston, senior partners at …