ADVOCACY REPORT AUGUST 2016

Argentum Advocates For You

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ABOUT ARGENTUM

Argentum member companies operate senior living communities offering assisted living,

independent living, and memory care services to older adults and their families. Argentum

is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating

professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the older adults

and families they serve. Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, accessibility,

independence, dignity, and quality of life for all older adults.

STRONG IN THE STATES 3

FEDERAL ACTIVITY 9

RECENT AG ACTIVITY OF INTEREST TO ARGENTUM MEMBERS 12

MEDIA 13

SILVER PAC 15

ARGENTUM’S MONTHLY ADVOCACY REPORTS

One of Argentum’s top priorities is to monitor legislative and regulatory activity in Washington DC as well as across all

50 states. Our goal is to advocate for meaningful laws and regulations and try to prevent passage of reform that would

negatively impact our member companies and the residents they serve. This monthly report provides highlights to senior

living executives regarding any regulatory or legislative activity on the federal and state level that occurred this month.

As such, the status and outcomes of these updates may change after the time this report is printed. Also reflected in this

report is update on the progress of Argentums Silver PAC, and various updates regarding Attorneys General activity and

public policy related news in the media. If you have questions about a particular topic in this report, feel free to reach out

to the following members of the public policy team:

Mike Pochowski, Senior Director of Public Policy

mpochowski@argentum.org | 414-803-7415

Alexis de Armas, Director of Government Relations

adearmas@argentum.org | 703-562-1178

Neil Cohen, PAC Administrator

ncohen@argentum.org | 703-562-1176

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

Monitoring States

Argentum Watchlist States

HI

VTNJDEDC

RICTNHMAMD

Argentum’s Legislative Focus Map

VTNJDEDC

RICTNHMAMD

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AL GAMS

TN NC

VAWV

SC

FLLA

AR

MO

IA

MNWI

MI

ND

SD

NE

KS

OK

TX

NM

CO

WY

MT

ID

WA

OR

NVUT

AZ

CA

AK

IL IN OHPA

NY

ME

KY

In Session

Adjourned

In Special Session

Prefilling for 2016

No 2016 Sessions

Current State Legislative SessionsAs of 8/30/16

STRONG IN THE STATES

As we say goodbye to summer and hello to the fall season, the Argentum public policy team is preparing for state legislatures to be back in business come January. The senior living industry across the country tackled legislative fights and many states were successful. With the assistance of Argentum state partners we will continue to monitor what will be in store for 2017 in the state. To stay informed and up to date on how local, state and the federal government’s proposals impact senior living, be sure to sign up for the Argentum Advocates for You e-newsletters. Feel free to contact Alexis de Armas, Director of Government Relations at adearmas@argentum.org or Mike Pochowski, Senior Director of Public Policy at mpochowski@argentum.org.

In Session

Adjourned

In Special Session

Pre-filing for 2016

No 2016 Sessions

Monitoring States Argentum Watchlist States

Argentum’s Public Policy Institute and Fly-In

Argentum is hosting its Public Policy Institute and Advocacy Fly-In, September 20-21 in Washington, D.C. This event is open for state partners and senior management professionals who are empowered to advance the industry’s mission to better serve older adults and impact the future of senior living. The Argentum Public Policy Institute will be held on Sept 20th and will provide a series of sessions led by top thought leaders, industry experts, and public policy professionals. These sessions will engage the attendees to be better advocates for the future of senior living and the residents they serve. The Advocacy Fly-In will be held on the following day where attendees will use the skills they learned at the Public Policy Institute and meet their U.S. Representatives and Senators to discuss the issues impacting their business and the care seniors deserve.

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NEUTRAL

NEUTRAL

NEUTRAL

CALIFORNIA Senate Bill 939 Continuing Care Contracts: Cancellation: Payments recently passed the Assembly and the Senate and was signed by the Governor. S.B. 939 would, among other things impose an interest penalty on the repayment of entrance fees that are conditioned on the resale of the unit. This version of S.B. 939 differs from last year’s bill by not including a requirement for DSS to investigate and make determinations about good faith marketing and sales efforts. CALA was able to get the early partial prepayment penalty removed from the bill.

CALIFORNIA Assembly Bill 2231 Care Facilities: Civil Penalties was introduced on February 18, 2016 by Assembly member Ian Charles Calderon (D) and passed the Assembly and referred to the Senate. A.B. 2231 proposes to increase the civil penalty amount to $100 per day for failure to correct a deficiency after a specified period of time. Civil penalties under this category that are considered repeat violations within the past 12 months would also amount to a $250 immediate civil penalty plus $100 per day until corrected. In addition, fines for serious deficiencies (fire clearance, accessible bodies of water, etc.) would increase to $500 per violation and $100 per day; and $1,000 per violation and $100 per day for repeat deficiencies within 12 months.

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW Thanks to Argentum state partners for their legislative efforts.

MASSACHUSETTS (N/A) Senate Bill 2119 An Act to Establish Pay Equity recently passed the House and the Senate and was signed by the Governor. S.B. 2119 will prohibit employers from asking potential employees about their salary histories. The law will also allow employees to discuss their salary with other employees.

ARGENTUM AND OUR STATE PARTNERS ARE MONITORING OR ACTIVELY WORKING TO GAIN PASSAGE OR DEFEAT THE FOLLOWING BILLS.

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

Argentum’s State Partner, CALA, was able to effectively advocate for an amendment to the bill that

allows assisted living providers to pay the fine only after the appeals process has been exhausted.

CALA continues to advocate for a definition of "repeat violation" that does not open up providers

to unnecessary increased fines. Assembly member Calderon has agreed to work with CALA and

discussions with the Department of Social Services (the bill's sponsor) continue.

Assembly Bill 1676 Employers: Wage Discrimination would prohibit employers from requesting

that job applicants provide their salary histories. In addition, employers could not justify disparity in

salaries solely on an employee’s prior salary. A.B. 1676 passed the Assembly and was referred to

the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations.

Senate Bill 938 Conservatorships: psychotropic medications passed the Senate and was referred to

the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations. S.B. 938 would require a conservator to submit a

petition to the appropriate court requesting the authority to administer certain psychotropic medications.

The information that is required within the petition is overly burdensome and CALA is working with a

coalition of other groups including the Alzheimer’s Association, LeadingAge, the California Hospital

Association, California Association of Health Facilities, and the California Psychiatric Association to

modify this bill as it creates unnecessary barriers to provide essential care to individuals.

Senate Bill 1065 Dismissal or Denial of Petitions to Compel Arbitrations: Appeals is authored by

Sen. Bill Monning (D) and recently passed in the Senate and is now in the Assembly. Senate Bill 1065

originally would have eliminated a provider’s ability to appeal a court ruling when the court does not

compel arbitration. CALA along with many other stakeholders were able to secure an amendment

to the bill which will expedite the appeal process.

Senate Bill 648 Health and Care Facilities: Referral Agencies is sponsored by Sen. Tony Mendoza

(D) and would require a referral agency to obtain a license from the Department of Social Services.

Any referral agency not licensed by the Department of Social Services could not receive a

commission or fee from an assisted living community. S.B. 648 would also prohibit a referral agency

from acting as a power of attorney or disclosing personal information for an individual receiving

referral services unless legally authorized. In addition, the referral agency would be required to

provide a disclosure statement to any person receiving services from the referral agency and to

obtain an acknowledgement from the consumer. CALA was able to clean up the disclosure process

requirement and get the unfair business practices lawsuit removed. S.B. 648 passed in the Senate

and was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Since S.B. 648 is considered to have

a significant fiscal impact, the bill has been placed in the “suspense” file and will receive a separate

hearing along with other bills that are considered to have a significant fiscal impact.

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MASSACHUSETTSThe Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) recently sent out a survey to assisted living communities requesting information on ways to "promote or prevent residents from aging in place." The survey ends on September 7, 2016 and the results will be made publicly available. EOEA is hoping to utilize the data on "policy discussions regarding how best to efficiently and effectively manage assisted living communities and ensure the safety and welfare of residents."

MICHIGANAFC and HFA Licensure Interpretation Changes

Shortly after the Michigan Department of Human Services transferred licensure oversight for Adult Foster Care (AFC) and Home for the Aged (HFA) communities to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), LARA changed their interpretation of what types of settings require a HFA and AFC license.

LARA is requiring an AFC/HFA license when “foster care” is being provided in an independent living community by a combination of two or more unaffiliated legal entities. “Foster care” includes supervision, personal care, and protection in addition to room and board.

The Michigan Assisted Living Association (MALA) has been participating on a workgroup for several months with the hope of resolving this issue. The general consensus of the workgroup members is that an AFC or HFA license should not be required in this situation. LARA representatives have not participated in this workgroup.

MALA is also discussing a legislative strategy with key legislators and will introduce legislation in the next session if necessary. In addition, four nonprofit providers filed a federal lawsuit against LARA alleging this new interpretation violates the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988.

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

OREGONBallot Measure 97 will appear on the November 8th ballot and if passed by the voters, would institute a new tax on out of state C-corporations that bring in at least $25 million in gross annual sales. These corporations would pay a $30,000 tax plus a 2.5 percent tax on anything above $25 million. Proponents of Ballot Measure 97 argue the new tax will raise $3 billion annually to spend on schools and social programs.

PENNSYLVANIA House Bill 2017 An Act Amending the Minimum Wage Act of 1968 was introduced on April 22,

2016 by Rep. Mark Cohen (D) and referred to the House Labor and Industry Committee. House Bill

2017 would incrementally raise the minimum wage in phases such that 90 days after enactment, the

minimum wage would increase to $9.00 per hour; in 2017 to $10.50 per hour; in 2018 to $12.50 per

hour; in 2019 to $13.50 per hour; and in 2020 to $15.00 per hour. Each year thereafter, the minimum

wage would increase based upon by the consumer price index.

House Bill 1785 An Act Requiring the Preparation and Publication of Information Relating to the

Influenza Vaccine passed the House and was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare

Committee. House Bill 178 5 would require personal care homes and assisted living residences

to distribute information provided by the Department of Health to residents about information

pertaining to the influenza vaccine.

House Bill 786 An Act amending the act of November 6, 1987 (P.L.381, No.79), known as the Older

Adults Protective Services Act was introduced on March 13, 2015 and referred to the Aging and

Older Adult Services Committee. H.B. 786 would amend the Older Adults Protective Services Act

based upon the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision in Peake v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

et al. Basically, all prospective employees will be required to undergo a background check and if

an individual was convicted of an “egregious” offense, a personal care home and assisted living

residence would be prohibited from hiring that individual. An individual convicted of a lesser crime

would be prohibited from working in a personal care home or assisted living residence for 10 years.

Exceptions are allowed under certain circumstances.

House Bill 1930 An Act amending the act of October 7, 2010 (P.L.484, No.70), known as the

Adult Protective Services Act, providing for Statewide adult abuse registry was introduced on April 1, 2016 and is currently being reviewed in the Human Services Committee. H.B. 1930 would create a statewide adult abuse registry of individuals that were convicted of assaulting and/or neglecting an adult with special needs.

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TENNESSEEACLF Administrator Examination

The Tennessee Board for Licensing Health Facilities (“Board”) recently announced its plan to

implement a testing/certification program for ACLF Administrators. The Board provided a copy of

the draft test, instructions, and an outline of the process for comment. Our Tennessee state partner

is working with the Board.

Proposed Medication Aides Rules

In coordination with Senate Bill 2383/House Bill 2013 which was recently signed by the Governor and allows medication aides to administer medications to residents, the Tennessee Board of Nursing recently issued proposed rules to comply with the new law. Tennessee Argentum is working with the Board on the proposed rules and the Board has deferred action until their next meeting in November 2016.

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

Democratic and GOP Campaign Committee platforms on Long-Term Care and Senior Issues – Both political parties have laid out their agendas for the upcoming Presidential election. While they clash over entitlement reform, both parties support expanded home care and access to affordable long-term care as well as the need to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Democratic platform also reaffirmed its commitment to President Obama's Affordable Care Act and said it would push back on any Congressional attempt to “privatize, voucherize, or ‘phase out'” Medicare.

CONSUMER CHOICE

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced in the Senate to Make Innovative Homebased Primary

Care Program Permanent – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Michael Bennet (D-CO.), and Rob Portman (R-OH) recently introduced S. 3130, legislation to convert

the Independence at Home (IAH) demonstration into a permanent national Medicare program. In 2012, IAH began as a three-year demonstration program in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has been extended for the past two years and is strongly supported by the Senate Finance Committee’s Chronic Care Working Group. Currently, 13 states have demonstration programs where teams of doctors, care givers, and other health care professionals coordinate to provide primary care services in the comfort of someone’s own home, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and avoidable hospitalizations and readmissions, as well as the costs associated with them for chronically ill patients. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the IAH payment model saved more than $25 million in its first performance year alone, an average of $3,070 per participating beneficiary.

Argentum recently discussed this among other chronic care issues with Wyden (D-OR) who launched the Senate Finance Committee’s Chronic Care Working Group and are expected to introduce legislation in the coming months. Argentum looks forward to working with the Senate Finance Committee as well as other Members of Congress to ensure the views of the senior living industry are included in efforts to expand long term care services to chronically ill seniors and their caregivers.

Rep. Comstock Calls for Hearing on Insurance Premium Spikes for Federal Employees – On July 28, Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) announced that in response to the wide fluctuations in premium hikes for federal long-term care insurance she has requested the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee consider holding a hearing to investigate the circumstances that led to such a drastic increase in premiums. In her statement calling for the oversight hearing she said, “This month, OPM announced that it had awarded a new seven-year contract for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, or FLTCIP. This announcement also included some alarming news that insurance premiums for enrollees would include rate changes which vary widely—either remaining relatively flat or increasing as high as 126%. Active and retired federal employees, many of whom are my constituents, are shocked by this dramatic spike in premiums. I have already heard from numerous constituents about this matter and have learned that the top-end of the premium spike seems to be a pattern rather than an outlier.”

FEDERAL ACTIVITY

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Hospices Providers to Receive a 2.1% Medicare Payment Increase in FY 2017 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that hospice providers will receive a 2.1% boost to their Medicare payments in fiscal 2017. The increase will bring an additional $350 million in funding to hospices, based on an estimated 2.7 percent inpatient hospital market basket update. The rule also updates the hospice cap, which will remain equal to the 2016 hospice cap but will be adjusted from $27,821 to $28,405 based on the payment increase. The increase is slightly less than the original 2.8% boost included in the proposed FY 2017 payment rule, released by CMS earlier this year. Also for FY 2017, CMS is instituting two new quality measures: Hospice Visits When Death is Imminent (a measure to assess hospice staff visits in a patient's' last three to seven days of life) and Hospice and Palliative Care Composite Process Measure (which assesses the percentage of hospice patients who received care consistent with guidelines).

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

House Members Call on CMS to Strengthen Proposed Nursing Home Regulations – More than 30 members of Congress aren't satisfied with proposed regulations for nursing homes and called on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for harsher final rules. In a letter

to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt, House signatories acknowledged the “positive provisions” of the agency's proposed nursing home regulation overhaul, but said CMS failed to address staffing and quality issues as well as opposition to pre-dispute arbitration agreements. Further the letter called for all skilled nursing facilities to have a registered nurse on staff at all times, mandate staff-resident ratios for direct care nurses and address the “pervasive misuse” of antipsychotic drugs. The final version of the new regulations for nursing homes is expected to arrive in September.

200 Hospitals File Lawsuit Against HHS Over Controversial “Two-Midnight” Rule – More than 200 hospitals have filed new lawsuits in the ongoing battle between providers and the Department of Health and Human Services over its controversial “two-midnight” rule. The so called two-midnight rule directs CMS payment contractors to presume hospital stays are appropriately billed as inpatient admissions rather than outpatient observation visits if they span two midnights. The rule also reduces inpatient prospective payment system rates for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 by 0.2 percent or $220 million in the aggregate for each year. The most recent lawsuits stem from a series of challenges that oppose the rule’s payment reduction for inpatient compensation and have resulted in CMS temporarily increasing payment rates as opposed to the cuts proposed. The hospitals ask that HHS retract the rule and reimburse providers for funds lost as a result of the rule.

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act –Senators Carper (D-DE); Cassidy (R-LA); Coons (D-DE), Grassley (R-IA) Heinrich (D-NM); and Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Kind (D-WI); and Paulsen (R-MN) introduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2015. The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act provides

Medicare beneficiaries and their healthcare providers with meaningful tools to reduce obesity by improving access to weight-loss counseling and new prescription medications for chronic weight management. The bill also requires within one year and every two years afterwards, the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make recommendations to Congress to combat the obesity epidemic.

Food and Drug Administration Drug repackaging guidelines – First proposed last year, the FDA guidelines would impose harsher regulations on drug repackaging, including repackaging timeframes and where the packaging can take place. The draft guidance may be in conflict with practices and state requirements of long term care communities. Argentum will continue to monitor this proposal.

MEMORY CARE

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Proposes Payment Changes for Alzheimer’s

Care – To improve how Medicare pays for services provided by primary care physicians and other practitioners for patients with multiple chronic conditions, cognitive impairment, mental and

behavioral health issues, and mobility-related impairments, CMS has proposed changes to the way it pays for primary care with a new focus on care management and behavioral, and cognitive health. “The [rule’s] proposed coding and payment changes will better reflect the resources involved in furnishing primary care, care coordination and planning, mental health care, and care for cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease,” according to a notice from CMS. “Today's proposals are intended to give a significant lift to the practice of primary care and to boost the time a physician can spend with their patients listening, advising and coordinating their care -- both for physical and mental health,” said CMS Acting Administrator Slavitt in a statement. “If this rule is finalized, it will put our nation's money where its mouth is by continuing to recognize the importance of prevention, wellness, and mental health and chronic disease management.”

CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 6, and will respond to comments in a final rule. The proposed rule can be downloaded from the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection.

HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act Advances in the Senate – Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) along with Senators Ed Markey (D- MA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) pushed to include their bipartisan HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act as part of the Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations bill. The Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act or HOPE Act would require Medicare to pay for a care planning session to provide Alzheimer’s patients and their families an early assessment, information about the disease and possible treatment options. This legislation is anticipated to be further considered as part of an Omnibus Appropriations package that will be considered in September when the Congress reconvenes.

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RECENT AG ACTIVITY OF INTEREST TO ARGENTUM MEMBERS

Connecticut Attorney General Announces NAAG Presidential Initiative

Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen was elected president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) during its Summer Meeting, June 21-23 in Burlington, Vt.

The 2016-2017 NAAG Presidential Initiative is, “Evolving Challenges in the American Health Care Marketplace: Competition, Cost and Innovation in a Rapidly Changing Industry.”

A NAAG Presidential Initiative Summit on this topic will take place on April 26-27, 2017 in New York, N.Y. Online registration to attend the summit will be available early 2017.

Issues that will likely be discussed are barriers to competition in the prescription drug sector, hospital consolidation, waste fraud and abuse in healthcare, technology and patient care, health care and big data.

The Patrick Lynch Group will work with Attorney General Jepsen and his staff to identify ways that Argentum and Argentum members can assist during his year as NAAG president.

NATIONAL MEETINGS UPDATEFrom July 9 to 12, the Patrick Lynch Group on behalf of Argentum attended the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) Summer meeting in Colorado Springs, CO. Topics discussed at the event dealt with prescription drug costs and federal overreach and the role of AGs.

From July 17 to 20, the Patrick Lynch Group on behalf of Argentum attended the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) Annual Meeting in Sun Valley, ID. Topics discussed were state enforcement of data breach laws, effective prescription drug take back programs and fraud prevention was a major focus of the conference.

UPCOMING AG CONFERENCESSeptember 12-13: Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) Fall Policy Conference, Washington, DC

October 3-5: National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) Consumer Protection Meeting Phoenix, AZ

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

New Alzheimer’s Studies Highlight Advances in Research

A slew of new research was discussed at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto this week.

Two studies suggested that a low-cost odor identification test has proven useful in predicting cognitive decline and detecting Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. The findings from Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute and New York-Presbyterian support odor identification as an early predictor and an impairment in detecting smells may precede thinning in the entorhinal cortex in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

There’s also a strong association between thinning nerve layers in the retina of the eye and poor cognition, according to another study, suggesting the potential of retinal imaging as part of early Alzheimer’s testing. Amyloid deposits in the retina show possibility for pre-symptomatic detection, found the researchers at the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in collaboration with the Topcon Advanced Biomedical Imaging Laboratory in Oakland, N.J.

Canadian research was also presented at the event, showing that during the past eight years, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias has increased more than 18 percent in Ontario with the greatest increase among men. Canadian research also addressed the need to improve culturally safe care for indigenous people with dementia in Canada.

In other research news, the National Institutes on Aging is funding scientists to use and study brain scans to explore the regions and connectivity in the brain associated with the ability to manage money with a focus on combatting financial elder abuse.

And even in facing the prospects of early dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), there’s a silver lining. A group of scientists from the University of Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging asked 48 men and women experiencing early dementia and MCI a series of questions about quality of life and outlook post-diagnosis. The Silver Lining Questionnaire, which has been in practice for cancer patients, showed that almost half of respondents reported positive scores including less concern about failure and appreciation and acceptance of life.

ACL Administrator Greenlee: It’s Attitude, Dignity and Leadership

Kathy Greenlee made her final public speech as assistant secretary on aging in San Diego this week, highlighting key themes during her seven-year tenure, which she said included attitude, dignity and leadership.

“Because of our attitude, we can demonstrate innovation. Because of our attitude, we have developed new business opportunities and new business partners,” she said during the n4a conference, adding that “the fundamental understanding and acknowledgement of the dignity and worth of every human being is core to our mission.”

MEDIA

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Dignity for Greenlee, she said, was apparent in the discussions about guardianship reform, the issue of elder abuse and in conversations with those who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. But she added that the field of aging lacks diversity. “The racial and ethnic minority population age 65 and over is expected to double from 10 million in 2014 to 21.1 million in 2030. We cannot serve people of color appropriately if all of the people making the decisions and running the programs are, frankly, Caucasian. We will not do justice to the people we serve.”Greenlee noted that her job is designed to be limited in term and the presidential administration transition is a natural order of how things work. “In this regard, I accept very much that the time has come for me to move on, move home. And yes, it makes me sad. …I am also extremely proud. Amazing is my current favorite word.”

CMS Proposes Payment Changes for Alzheimer’s Care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed changes to the way it pays for primary care with a focus on care management and behavioral and cognitive health.

The rule’s primary care proposals are designed to improve how Medicare pays for services provided by primary care physicians and other practitioners for patients with multiple chronic conditions, cognitive impairment, mental and behavioral health issues and mobility-related impairments.

“The proposed coding and payment changes will better reflect the resources involved in furnishing contemporary primary care, care coordination and planning, mental health care, and care for cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s disease,” according to a notice from CMS.

Among its proposal, CMS would create a new code to pay for cognitive and functional assessment and care planning for patients with cognitive impairment such as those with Alzheimer’s disease.“Today's proposals are intended to give a significant lift to the practice of primary care and to boost the time a physician can spend with their patients listening, advising and coordinating their care -- both for physical and mental health,” said CMS Acting Administrator Slavitt in a statement. “If this rule is finalized, it will put our nation's money where its mouth is by continuing to recognize the importance of prevention, wellness, and mental health and chronic disease management.”

CMS will accept comments on the proposed rule until September 6, and will respond to comments in a final rule. The proposed rule can be downloaded from the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection.

Meanwhile, the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act is gaining steam in Congress, according to a report in Modern Healthcare. The bill would provide Medicare coverage for care planning for individuals diagnosed with dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. The report cites an analysis by consultancy Healthsperien showing that the measure would drive down federal net spending by $692 million from 2016 to 2025.

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

Argentum COO Maribeth Bersani and VP Pick Sen. Tim Kaine

At a PAC event in early July, Argentum COO Maribeth Bersani had the opportunity to get some one on one time with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) to discuss his work on the Senate Aging Committee and the senior living industry. Although at the time he said he was very happy with his job representing Virginia in the Senate, on July 27th Sen. Kaine stood in front of the Democratic National Convention and accepted his party’s nomination to serve as Vice President. During his speech, Sen. Kaine touted his work on the Aging Committee to protect our senior citizens and spoke about the need for research to end diseases like Alzheimer’s. Attending intimate PAC events like this one allows Argentum to connect with some of the most influential policymakers in Washington and explain the

needs of the industry directly to them.

2016 Cobb Cup Standings Now Online

The Silver PAC fundraising campaign is now underway with several provider companies competing to win the second annual Cobb Cup Challenge. In 2015 Argentum introduced the competition to honor the late Granger Cobb who was a pioneer in the industry and dedicated to advocating on behalf of senior living. Standings for the 2016 Cobb Cup competition will be updated weekly through the conclusion of the competition on September 30th.

You can track the leaders at www.Argentum.org/CobbCup. The next winner will be awarded the trophy during the Argentum Chief Executive Summit in Miami this November.

SILVER PAC

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2016 Silver PAC Trustee Circle Dinner

Every year, Argentum’s Silver PAC hosts the annual Trustee Circle Dinner as a thank you for to the most generous supporters, those who donate $3,000 or more. Each Trustee Circle member is invited to bring a significant other to join them at dinner. The Trustee Circle Dinner is always a highly anticipated evening which brings together prominent senior living professionals, including members of the Argentum Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Board.

The 2016 Trustee Circle Dinner will be held at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami, Florida on November 10th beginning at 6 PM EST. Dining at the Mandarin Oriental is renowned for breathtaking waterside views overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline and its modern American cuisine with Asian influences. The 2016 Silver PAC Trustee Circle Dinner is sure to be a can’t miss event.

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ARGENTUM ADVOCATES

FOR YOU

Silver PAC Raised : $109,230 Donors: 123

Vicki ClarkJosh Davis

Lewis Brisbois John Getchey

WelltowerJayne Sallerson

Benchmark Senior Living

Bill Sciortino Vi

Gary Smith Vi

Chairman Circle (Personal Contribution of $1,000-$2,999 in 2016)

GOAL $350,000

$109,230Raised

$0

2016 Fundraising Progress

Trustee Circle (Personal Contribution of $3,000-$4,999 in 2016)

Maribeth Bersani Argentum

Scott Brinker Welltower

Jack Callison Enlivant

Peter Corless OnShift

Scott Estes Welltower

Tom Grape Benchmark Senior Living

Stephanie Handelson Benchmark Senior Living

Dan Hirschfeld Genesis Rehab Services

Silver Circle (Personal Contribution of $5,000 in 2016)

James Balda, Argentum

Tom DeRosa Welltower

Joel Goldman Hanson Bridgett LLP

Genevieve Hills Direct Supply

Bob Hillis Direct Supply

Brad Klitsch* Direct Supply

Donald Thompson Senior Living Communities LLC

Dawn Usher Silverado

Patricia Will, Belmont Village Senior Living* *includes contribution from PAC

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Assisted Living Executive Director Certification by the Senior Living Certification Commission

provides a psychometrically valid measure of the competency of assisted living executive directors,

and their ability to apply that knowledge on the job. Certification demonstrates attainment of

consistent, relevant, measurable and industry-recognized standards of practice in the assisted

living executive director role.

Certification demonstrates to residents that they are under the care and supervision of a knowledgeable specialist with a proven skill set to meet resident needs.

Examination Details

The first Assisted Living Senior Living Executive

Director exam will be held in September 2016.

Testing sites are located in all 50 states.

Assisted Living Executive Director Certification Demonstrate a Commitment to Quality

Visit argentum.org/certification for

» Eligibility Requirements

» Application Fees & Deadlines

» Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

» Study Tips and Testing Strategies

» Request a brochure

Our goal is to have all our

residence directors obtain

their SLCC Credential

within the first few months

of availability. For new

directors joining us,

we will strongly favor

those candidates having

previously obtained their

SLCC Credential.

– Tim Buchanan, CEO, Legend Senior Living

argentum.org/certificationLearn more at

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Since 1990, Argentum has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. Argentum’s programs promote business and operational excellence designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living.

1650 King Street, Ste. 602, Alexandria, VA 22314 Telephone: 703-894-1805 Fax: 703-894-1831 argentum.org