Senior citizen caregivers must be included in HHS guidelines for federal funds, Collins says

America’s caregivers for senior citizens should not be overlooked in forthcoming guidelines being set to disburse federal funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

According to an April 16 letter Sen. Collins and almost 30 of her U.S. Senate colleagues sent to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, HHS must ensure that as it sets guidelines for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSEF), they include providers caring for senior citizens, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, senior living communities, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities.

“Allocating a meaningful level of support from the PHSSEF to this industry is critical to the seniors who call these facilities home as we continue to take steps to reduce COVID-19 spread and support our health care providers on the front lines,” the lawmakers wrote.

Sen. Collins and her colleagues also pointed out that America’s nursing homes and senior living facilities currently are experiencing serious shortages of needed staffing and protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Significant investment is needed to stave off both of these shortages,” the lawmakers wrote. “We must ensure these supplies are flowing to the providers who are on the front lines of caring for some of our nation’s most vulnerable — our seniors.”

Among the senators who joined Sen. Collins in signing the bipartisan letter were U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Todd Young (R-IN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Rob Portman (R-OH), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).