News from Argentum: House Appropriators Cut Critical Workforce Programs

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education voted to advance drastic cuts to critical workforce development programs by favorably reporting their portion of the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill out of the subcommittee.

About proposed cuts

This legislation calls for eliminating Job Corps funding and reducing workforce program funding by nearly 30%, including essential workforce grants and apprenticeship programs. Argentum is deeply concerned about these funding cuts as they would impede progress to meet the workforce demands of our industry. According to a recently released report (Workforce Projections for Senior Care Sectors), there is currently a shortage of more than 400,000 workers, projected to grow to more than 20 million by 2040.

Argentum is working to fill this gap through a federally funded workforce initiative that is on target to recruit thousands of new CNAs, LPNs, RNs, rehab technicians, nursing directors, and executive directors through the DOL’s Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Program. If the cuts proposed by House lawmakers go forward, these efforts are jeopardized.

Take action

Send a letter to Congress urging them to oppose these cuts from moving forward. The annual appropriations process is long and complex, and there are several opportunities to stop this, but we need everyone to join together to get our message heard. Send a letter, read our press statement, or contribute to Argentum's Advocacy Fund to support our advocacy efforts on behalf of the senior living industry.

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