James Balda, President and CEO, issued the following statement on the signing of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act:
“Argentum applauds President Biden and the U.S. Congress for enacting this critically important veterans’ legislation, which will establish a pilot program for veterans to choose assisted living for their long-term care needs,” Balda said. “We are confident that once policymakers see the value of assisted living, both in its cost-effectiveness and its high satisfaction, that more programs can be put in place to help more Americans choose assisted living for their care needs.”
Argentum will be working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on implementing the pilot program to ensure stakeholder feedback is received and the pilot program is as effective as possible in its objective to demonstrate the opportunities of expanding access for veterans. The pilot is narrowly focused on two (of the 18 total) Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN), with facilities required to be in geographically diverse areas; at least one facility must serve veterans in rural or highly rural areas; at least one facility be located in each of the VISNs selected; and at least one facility be a State home. Additionally, there is a maximum of 60 eligible veterans who may participate in each VISN.
The legislation was spurred by a 2021 report from the VA on the current and projected long-term care needs of veterans and the need to expand options such as assisted living. Currently, veterans with long-term care needs have few options: they can receive care in a nursing home fully-paid by the VA, or choose another setting like assisted living but would face significant out-of-pocket costs. The report notes that the percentage of Veterans 85 or older who are eligible for nursing home care will increase nearly 535% over the next 20 years (from 61,000 to 387,000) and the VA would realize a potential savings of $69,101 per placement per year for every veteran who chooses assisted living instead of nursing home care.
The VA’s report ultimately led to the introduction of the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act (S. 4169 and H.R. 8750) in 2022, which was then reintroduced in the 118th Congress with the introduction of S. 495 and H.R. 1815. Argentum worked with more than 50 stakeholder organizations to push for passage of the legislation. For its part, the VA testified in 2024 that the pilot program would be “a helpful addition to VA’s options for long-term care.” By mid-2024, language from the pilot program was rolled into the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.
Argentum sincerely appreciates the tireless efforts of the primary bill sponsors for ushing this program forward: Senators Jon Tester, Jerry Moran, Patty Murray, and Mike Rounds, and Representatives Elissa Slotkin, Bryan Steil, Ann Kuster, and David Trone. We also extend our appreciation for the leaders of the Elizabeth Dole Act: Senators Moran Jerry, Jon Tester, and Maggie Hassan, and Representatives Juan Ciscomani, Mike Bost, Julia Brownley, and Mark Takano. And lastly, we thank the dozens of organizations who partnered together to champion this legislation across the finish line, including ASHA, NCAL, and LeadingAge.
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