December 11, 2020 Washington, DC —Statement from Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, including nursing homes, on the framework of the Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020:

“Hope is finally in the air as the rollout of the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine nears. But no vaccine is a magic wand. Death rates continue to rise and the coronavirus will threaten older adults for months and months to come. Congress needs to provide immediate aid to aging services providers who have worked tirelessly for nine months to keep those in their care safe.

The Bipartisan Emergency COVID Relief Act of 2020 is a start in the right direction, but Congress must do much more to protect older Americans and the people who care for them. Older adults have already suffered 80% of all COVID deaths, and they must be a top priority for Congressional relief–just as they are for vaccination.

Staggering and unsustainable COVID-related costs continue to mount for aging services. Some providers are shutting down, and more will follow. They’ve been struggling to access and pay for the personal protective equipment, testing, supplies, and staffing they need to fight this virus and protect their clients, residents, and dedicated staff.

Congress must step up to meet this real and desperate need to ensure that older adults will be able to access the services and supports they need to survive, no matter where they live and receive care. The final COVID-19 relief bill should include support and resources targeted to aging services providers at levels that reflect this extraordinary crisis.”

We represent more than 5,000 aging-focused organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we address critical issues by blending applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building. We bring together the most inventive minds in our field to support older adults as they age wherever they call home. We make America a better place to grow old. For more information: www.leadingage.org.