09/10/2026

Congressional Research Service Releases New Assisted Living Overview

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) recently published a new issue brief providing Congress with an overview of the assisted living sector. The brief examines assisted living’s role within the long-term services and supports continuum and highlights the fact that assisted living is regulated primarily at the state level, resulting in significant variation in licensing, staffing, resident eligibility, and available services across the country.

CRS also outlines how assisted living is financed, including through private funds, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and other sources. The brief highlights Medicaid’s role in helping some lower-income older adults access assisted living services through home- and community-based services programs and waivers.

The nonpartisan brief does not make policy recommendations. However, it provides congressional offices with background on the assisted living sector that could inform future oversight, hearings, or legislative discussions.

LeadingAge does not anticipate significant federal legislative activity on assisted living in the near term but notes that the publication offers insight into issues that may receive additional attention in future federal policy discussions. Read the full Assisted Living: An Overview brief from CRS.