We’re Still in the Legislative Chess Game

If you’ve been watching the television news lately, you’re probably a bit confused about what’s happening on Capitol Hill.

It’s called legislating. But it reminds me of a fast-moving chess game.

In this game, the stakes are extremely high—and could impact the well-being of America’s aging population for many years to come.

The chess board is what started out as a $3.5 trillion legislative package that lawmakers crafted to enact President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

The chess pieces are an impressive collection of investments in a variety of initiatives, including initiatives that promise to provide older adults with the housing and supports they so desperately need. These investments would increase access to home and community-based services and affordable housing, build the capacity of Medicaid to increase wages and quality in nursing homes, launch workforce creation and opportunity programs, and expand allied health professions training grants.

Other chess pieces include investments to address climate change, provide universal pre-K, give working families access to childcare, increase access to higher education, and meet other pressing needs.

The size of the legislative package has been controversial, to say the least. So, lawmakers are negotiating the reduction of the $3.5 trillion price tag so the package can receive the support needed to pass both chambers of Congress.

Like any high-stakes chess game, strategy will rule the day. And, also like a good chess game, that strategy won’t be fully revealed until the very end.

Will lawmakers decide to lower the package’s price tag by cutting out all but a few programs? Will they trim every program so each worthwhile initiative gets a smaller allocation? Or will they fiddle with the duration of funding—making a generous investment in every initiative but authorizing funding for only a few years?

Right this minute, lawmakers are grappling with these questions, discussing all options, and, hopefully, finding a middle ground. In the end, they’ll make difficult decisions about important issues that impact all of us.

As we wait for the outcome, there are three things to keep in mind:

First, this is a historic package. The package now being discussed on Capitol Hill has already received strong support from a large number of lawmakers who decided to invest generously in addressing the needs of older adults because they believe older adults need—and deserve—that investment.

This is an unprecedented action, and it would represent a tremendous victory for older adults and LeadingAge members.

Second, we probably won’t get everything we want from the final package. But even a reduced investment in affordable housing, home and community-based services, nursing homes, and workforce will still be a great accomplishment and will do much good.

Just as important, the legislative process has already given us an opportunity to begin important conversations on Capitol Hill about our nation’s growing older population, and its growing need for high-quality and affordable housing, services, and supports. Legislators are finally listening. Whatever happens in the next few weeks can never erase that accomplishment. You can be assured that LeadingAge will be relentless in our advocacy and will continue working to ensure our key legislative priorities become reality.

Third, the chess game isn’t over and we’re still in it. We’re working hard to get this legislative package across the finish line with as much funding for older Americans as Congress can muster. But we can’t do it without you. We have one more opportunity to make our voices heard—but we must raise those voices in the next few days.

LeadingAge members are a crucial part of our advocacy efforts in Washington. Hearing from constituents like you at this critical moment in history will make a big difference.

Our easy-to-use action center can help you contact your congressional offices in minutes. I urge you to take the time, right now, to help us make the case for a meaningful federal investment in the important work you do. And please ask your residents and clients and their families to do the same.

 

We’re Still in the Legislative Chess Game

If you’ve been watching the television news lately, you’re probably a bit confused about what’s happening on Capitol Hill.

It’s called legislating. But it reminds me of a fast-moving chess game.

In this game, the stakes are extremely high—and could impact the well-being of America’s aging population for many years to come.

The chess board is what started out as a $3.5 trillion legislative package that lawmakers crafted to enact President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

The chess pieces are an impressive collection of investments in a variety of initiatives, including initiatives that promise to provide older adults with the housing and supports they so desperately need. These investments would increase access to home and community-based services and affordable housing, build the capacity of Medicaid to increase wages and quality in nursing homes, launch workforce creation and opportunity programs, and expand allied health professions training grants.

Other chess pieces include investments to address climate change, provide universal pre-K, give working families access to childcare, increase access to higher education, and meet other pressing needs.

The size of the legislative package has been controversial, to say the least. So, lawmakers are negotiating the reduction of the $3.5 trillion price tag so the package can receive the support needed to pass both chambers of Congress.

Like any high-stakes chess game, strategy will rule the day. And, also like a good chess game, that strategy won’t be fully revealed until the very end.

Will lawmakers decide to lower the package’s price tag by cutting out all but a few programs? Will they trim every program so each worthwhile initiative gets a smaller allocation? Or will they fiddle with the duration of funding—making a generous investment in every initiative but authorizing funding for only a few years?

Right this minute, lawmakers are grappling with these questions, discussing all options, and, hopefully, finding a middle ground. In the end, they’ll make difficult decisions about important issues that impact all of us.

As we wait for the outcome, there are three things to keep in mind:

First, this is a historic package. The package now being discussed on Capitol Hill has already received strong support from a large number of lawmakers who decided to invest generously in addressing the needs of older adults because they believe older adults need—and deserve—that investment.

This is an unprecedented action, and it would represent a tremendous victory for older adults and LeadingAge members.

Second, we probably won’t get everything we want from the final package. But even a reduced investment in affordable housing, home and community-based services, nursing homes, and workforce will still be a great accomplishment and will do much good.

Just as important, the legislative process has already given us an opportunity to begin important conversations on Capitol Hill about our nation’s growing older population, and its growing need for high-quality and affordable housing, services, and supports. Legislators are finally listening. Whatever happens in the next few weeks can never erase that accomplishment. You can be assured that LeadingAge will be relentless in our advocacy and will continue working to ensure our key legislative priorities become reality.

Third, the chess game isn’t over and we’re still in it. We’re working hard to get this legislative package across the finish line with as much funding for older Americans as Congress can muster. But we can’t do it without you. We have one more opportunity to make our voices heard—but we must raise those voices in the next few days.

LeadingAge members are a crucial part of our advocacy efforts in Washington. Hearing from constituents like you at this critical moment in history will make a big difference.

Our easy-to-use action center can help you contact your congressional offices in minutes. I urge you to take the time, right now, to help us make the case for a meaningful federal investment in the important work you do. And please ask your residents and clients and their families to do the same.