Member News
June 16, 2021
The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) has released a new Special Issue Brief that was prepared in concert with ATI Advisory, entitled Assisted Living: An Important Option for Providing LTSS in the Community. Copies of the Brief can be purchased through the ASHA Bookstore at ashaliving.org. To read about the Special Issue Brief please click here.May 20, 2021
The American Seniors Housing Association shared its perspectives on the Biden Infrastructure proposal with U.S. Senate and House leaders on May 19. ASHA’s infrastructure recommendations focus on elements within the proposed plan to expand the Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program, workforce development and immigration reform, and the need for an improved long-term care financing system to better meet the needs of aging Americans, including Veterans and those with limited financial resources. Read more about ASHA’s response to the Biden Administration plan.April 6, 2021
The American Seniors Housing Association held a Senior Living Strong Virtual Fly-In with over 40 key members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and their staff. The meetings took place the week of March 29 and continue the week of April 5. Read more about ASHA’s Senior Living Strong Fly-In.March 18, 2021
The American Seniors Housing Association continues to press policymakers for needed financial relief related to COVID-19 costs and expense, and is also asking that the Biden Administration make available prioritized access to vaccine for new workers and residents in senior living communities. Read more about ASHA’s reaction to an announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services related to government funding for COVID testing in senior living and long-term care.February 26, 2021
The American Seniors Housing Association is calling on governors and states to ease visitation restrictions in senior living communities in the coming weeks as the overwhelming majority of residents will be vaccinated and no longer at risk of COVID-19. Read more about ASHA’s outreach to the National Governors Association and its position related to visitation.February 22, 2021
ASHA continues to advocate for independent living communities to receive prioritized access to COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Read more on this in the article from Market Watch click here.February 12, 2021
Measures taken by a senior living operator in response to COVID-19 are eligible for complete liability immunity under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, according to a ruling Wednesday by a federal court in California. American Seniors Housing Association President David Schless said the ruling “is significant for the industry.” “Under enormously challenging circumstances, senior living providers have done their utmost to ensure the well-being of staff and residents, adhering to ever-changing guidance from national, state and local health authorities,” Schless said, “and so it is entirely appropriate that they will receive protection from liability under the PREP Act.” Click here for the full story.February 12, 2021
A California federal court ruled Wednesday that measures taken by senior living providers to protect residents from Covid-19 are eligible for complete liability immunity under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. “The California federal court ruling is significant for the industry which has done everything in its power to protect staff and residents since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) President David Schless stated. Click here for the full story.February 12, 2021
COVID-19 didn’t do much to change opinions of potential future senior living residents, with the appeal of those communities mostly increasing in the wake of the pandemic, according to the results of a new survey. “Impacts of COVID-19 on the Seniors Housing Industry: A Study of Consumers Round 2” from the American Seniors Housing Association is the second national consumer survey of sentiments regarding senior living. It follows an initial survey conducted last summer coinciding with ASHA’s “Senior Living Today & Everyday” public relations campaign from May 2020 to January 2021. “We have been very committed to combating negative COVID-19 impact since last spring, and the new consumer research suggests ASHA’s extensive public relations efforts have been helpful,” ASHA President David Schless said. “While there is no doubt the industry’s recovery will take time, the data provides ample evidence that consumers will continue to embrace the value proposition and benefits offered by our communities across all service levels.” Click here for the full story.February 9, 2021
A group of federal lawmakers has resurrected legislation that could result in major labor law changes that potentially would exacerbate workforce challenges already facing the senior living industry, industry experts say.
The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act was reintroduced Thursday by Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA). The bill, which passed the House last February but did not advance to the Senate, has 194 co-sponsors. It would make it easier for workers to unionize and more difficult for operators to prevent it from happening, experts say.
American Seniors Housing Association President David Schless said that ASHA is working with the Coalition for Democratic Workforce, a broad-based coalition of organizations representing employers and employees in various industries “concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers and the economy.”
“ASHA is concerned over many of the provisions in the PRO Act, which is designed to give more power to unions and union organizing,” Schless told McKnight’s Senior Living, adding that ASHA will support CDW’s efforts to educate lawmakers and the public about the “detrimental consequences of this legislation.” Click here for full story.