Engage with Argentum’s “Release the PRF” Campaign

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Matt Steele

Argentum, a national affiliate of LeadingAge Minnesota, has launched a 5-week campaign to encourage the federal government to release Provider Relief Funds promised to long-term care providers to assist in responding to COVID-19.

Since the PRF was created, $138 billion has been distributed to qualified health care providers to offset the healthcare-related expenses and revenue loss incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic. If providers meet the eligibility qualifications and comply with the conditions associated with the PRF distributions, the funding does not need to be repaid. Thus far, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has completed three phases of releasing the monies to providers. Several provider sectors are now calling on President Biden to quickly release the remaining money in the PRF fund to deal with increasing recovery challenges, especially related to the onset of the Delta Variant.

With $40 billion remaining in the PRF balance, Argentum is urging the Biden Administration to immediately release the balance to long-term care provider organizations through the "Release the PRF" campaign. The five-week campaign will urge that the money be released through paid media, grassroots advocacy, and direct lobbying of the administration. Every week of the campaign will request active participation from Argentum members surrounding a new theme that highlights the urgent need of long-term care provider organizations. The first week, starting at the beginning of August, focused on equipping advocates with tools to launch a successful campaign on behalf of seniors. The second week highlighted the urgent state of affairs facing senior care across the country. This week, Argentum is calling providers to focus their attention and advocacy efforts on the Biden Administration. The upcoming weeks will include opportunities for grassroots advocacy through sharing short personal video testimonials, targeted media opportunities, a press conference, and conclude with final messages to send to the administration and members of Congress.

Take Action
With the recent surge of the Delta variant, it’s now more important than ever to make our voices heard and advocate for the immediate release of the PRF to long-term care provider organizations. If you haven’t already, there is still time to get involved and jump into the Release the PRF campaign’s final weeks. Visit the Standing with Seniors website, and click on the "Help Today" button in the upper right-hand corner to see how you can be a part of the critical movement to Release the PRF.