Member News
Check out what ASHA’s doing for the seniors housing industry by clicking on the links below. For additional information related to government affairs or advocacy, please contact Jeanne McGlynn Delgado at [email protected] and Sheff Richey at [email protected]. Questions about the Associations meetings and sponsorship can be directed to Doris Maultsby at [email protected]. For all other inquiries reach out to David Schless, ASHA president & CEO at [email protected].
June 12, 2025
On June 12, ASHA joined with our real estate partner organizations in a letter to Senate Finance Committee members expressing our concerns relative to the significant impact retaliatory taxes will have on real estate investment and the cost of capital.
Specifically, the coalition requested the Senate revise Section 899, ENFORCEMENT OF REMEDIES AGAINST UNFAIR FOREIGN TAXES of the House passed Budget Reconciliation bill to exempt non-controlling investments in U.S. real estate, regardless of whether those investments are made through equity or debt. We also seek relief for existing transactions and investment that were made and negotiated on well settled current tax rules and treaties.
This provision is designed to retaliate against foreign taxes that discriminate against American businesses. The purpose is to put pressure on foreign governments to reform their unfair practices. However, in doing so, it imposes taxes on inbound investment, creating negative and unintended consequences for the nation’s housing supply, including seniors housing. The higher tax rates triggered by Section 899 would apply broadly to foreign investment in U.S. real estate. The rates would apply to interest income (foreign lenders to U.S. real estate) and dividend income (foreign equity investors in U.S. REITs), as well as direct investments in U.S. real estate. In many cases, Section 899 would result in higher capital gains taxes as well.
If enacted, Section 899 would have a chilling effect on real estate investment and would also impose and new tax burden on U.S. real estate owners and create an unfair retroactive application to current investments.
Click here for the coalition letter.
May 20, 2025
On May 20, 2025, ASHA joined in coalition with national real estate associations in a letter to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer requesting they suspend and revise the 2023 DOL Davis-Bacon final rule.
In August 2023, the DOL issued a final rule updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) regulations, which took effect on October 23, 2023. This rule, titled "Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulations," significantly revised the prevailing wage determination process used for federally funded or assisted construction projects.
Addressing the harm caused by the prior Administration’s Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 (“Davis-Bacon Act”) related regulatory efforts will help to increase the nation’s housing supply, eliminate overly complex and unnecessary federal regulations, and maximize taxpayer funding by lowering per-unit delivery costs for federally funded projects. The coalition asks the DOL act to rescind the 2023 final rule and implement reforms to support the development of more affordable housing.
Click here for the full coalition statement to HUD and DOL.
April 15, 2025
On April 15, ASHA joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workforce (CDW), a group of business and trade associations joined by mutual concern over regulatory overreach, in a letter to Congress in support of the Start Applying Labor Transparency (SALT) Act.
The SALT Act would amend the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) to require labor organizations to register with the Department of Labor (DOL) their "salts," or employees who infiltrate other businesses to trigger an organizing campaign. In the letter, CDW explains, "salting is inherently coercive, but, currently, neither unions nor salts are required to disclose their actions, in sharp contrast to the reports employers must file under the LMRDA." The SALT Act would enhance transparency for employees regarding whom they are working with and what their intentions are.
ASHA will continue to work with CDW, to stop any labor advancements harmful to businesses.
Click Here for the Letter
March 26, 2025
On March 26, ASHA joined with real estate industry partners in urging Congress to preserve investment in real estate by maintaining longstanding tax law as it relates to carried interest and capital gains. Carried interest is a crucial tool driving American real estate investment, spurring housing development, and promoting the growth of our built environment. Retaining capital gains tax treatment for carried interest helps ensure our nation can meet the goals of increasing housing supply, modernizing our building stock, and contributing to economic growth.
March 18, 2025
On March 12, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing entitled “Breaking the Cycle of Senior Loneliness: Strengthening Family and Community Support.” Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), Chairman and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) convened the hearing to call attention to the health risks associated with loneliness and the need to do more, including Congress to address this epidemic. The Committee is expected to hold hearings every two weeks in the 119th Congress, this being the fifth hearing since January, outpacing most committees.
ASHA submitted a statement to the committee, highlighting the significant efforts the senior living industry employs to promote social engagement among residents. We also shared with the Committee, Senior Living Communities: Uniquely Positioned to Reduce Social Isolation and Promote Social Connection in Older Adults. This Special Issue Brief was prepared for ASHA by ATI Advisory, and included a literature review, senior living company surveys and individual case studies that highlight the impact of social opportunities on residents’ wellbeing. Argentum was a witness at the hearing and presented thoughtful testimony underscoring the importance of senior living in addressing isolation and loneliness.
Senator Scott opened the hearing with a statement about the impacts of senior loneliness: “The sad reality we face today is that a growing number of senior citizens are suffering from mental and physical health issues, largely driven by an epidemic of loneliness. Despite public health officials sounding the alarm, the issue has not yet been addressed through any major legislation.”
Other hearing witnesses included the YMCA of the USA, the Foundation for Social Connection-Action Network, and Clayton County Seniors Services Department. Senator Scott recently introduced bipartisan legislation, the Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief (SENIOR Act) which among other things, adds “loneliness” to the definition of “disease prevention and health promotion services” under the Older Americans Act. It also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to prepare a report on the impacts of loneliness on seniors and propose solutions for identifying impacts; and analyzes the relationship between the strength of multigenerational family units, loneliness, and seniors. ASHA expressed support for this bill and interest in working with the committee on this and other issues of importance to the industry.
Click Here for ASHA's Statement
March 7, 2025
On March 7, ASHA joined in coalition with real estate industry partners to ask Congress to reject any cap or limit to the deductibility of business-related property taxes, otherwise known as business SALT (B-SALT).
Property taxes paid by businesses are fundamentally different from state and local individual income taxes. Property taxes are an unavoidable expense, an inescapable cost of operating any business, large or small, public or private. Eliminating the business deduction for property taxes would be the equivalent of raising business owners’ property tax bills by roughly 40 percent, causing employers to owe federal tax on money that they do not have. It would lead to insolvencies and foreclosures, and it would cause self-inflicted injury to the U.S. economy, including unnecessary job losses, pressure on rents for families and individuals, and other inflationary cost increases for American consumers.
February 24, 2025
ASHA joined with our coalition partners in the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) to ask Congress to reject a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would repeal a final Biden Administration rule to permanently extend the automatic renewal period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from 180 days to 540 days, a necessary and well-reasoned policy that benefits U.S. businesses, workers, and the economy at large.
The CRA enables Congress and the President, if they are in agreement, to overturn by simple majority regulations that were promulgated during the 60 Senate session days or 60 legislative House days before a session of Congress adjourns, whichever is earlier. In this case, President Trump and congressional Republicans can use the CRA to override rules finalized on or after August 16, 2024.
This rule is an essential workforce stability measure. Government estimates indicate that the temporary 540-day extension has already prevented at least 800,000 legally authorized workers from being forced out of the labor force due to bureaucratic processing delays within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The consequences of rescinding this policy would be dire for businesses, workers and U.S. economic growth.
Click Here for EWIC's Statement
January 21, 2025
On January 21, 2025, ASHA joined The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition (EWIC) in a statement to the incoming Trump Administration on legal immigration reform, requesting that the administration prioritize legal immigration reform to strengthen border security and effectively address the needs of businesses and the economy. EWIC commended recent bipartisan efforts to reignite the critical conversation around enhanced border security and immigration reform. This collaborative approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges within our immigration system is a significant step towards meaningful change.
Click here for the full statement.
December 2, 2024
On December 2, 2024, ASHA submitted comments in response to Senator Mark Kelly's (D-AZ) draft legislation, the ASSISTED in Assisted Living Act. ASHA expressed concerned that what is being proposed can interfere with industry innovation and divert necessary resources from state initiatives. Specifically, in a few areas: 1) what appears to be a voluntary effort can lead to new and duplicative federal oversight; and 2) the purpose of the Advisory Commission, which is to create best practices, is already underway by an industry and regulatory stakeholder community through the Quality in Assisted Living Collaborative (QALC). Click Here for LetterNovember 22, 2024
ASHA and its long-term care coalition partners sent a letter to leaders of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS), urging them to seek a Unanimous Consent (UC) agreement on H.R. 8371, The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. H.R. 8371 passed the U.S. House with a favorable vote of 389-9 on November 18, 2024. Specific to the interests of the coalition is Subtitle B, Section 127, which reflects key provisions of S. 495, the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act. This section authorizes the VA to offer assisted living settings for aging and disabled veterans who would otherwise require more costly nursing home care. Click Here for Letter