The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) have responded to the introduction of the Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2021.

In a statement following the bill’s introduction, AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Office Mark Parkinson said, “We appreciate Congressman Neal, Sen. Casey, Sen. Wyden, and Congresswoman Bonamici’s work around the reauthorization and modernization of the Elder Justice Act, and that it incorporates proposals from our Care For Our Seniors Act. We are glad to see policymakers provide a desperately needed focus on workforce investment, including assistance for caregivers with everyday life, like loans, tuition, childcare, and transportation. 

“Long term care providers are facing serious workforce challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and our country must make significant investments to help address these shortfalls,” he said. “This piece of legislation is a great first step to help ensure every facility has the ability to recruit and retain the necessary staff to ensure our residents receive the level of care they need and deserve.

“Caregivers are the backbone of nursing homes and assisted living communities, and we need to make sure they are being adequately supported so they can provide the highest quality of care to our elderly population,” Parkinson said.

“We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers on advancing provisions of our Care for Our Seniors Act and other policies that help our nation’s long term care providers and those that they serve.”