From DC is Justice in Aging’s weekly roundup of national news and resources about issues impacting older adults. To receive From DC in your inbox as soon as its published, sign up for our mailing list.
Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Update on Budget Reconciliation & New Resources to Protect Medicaid
Republicans in Congress continued negotiations over their FY 2025 budget resolutions this week. While the House was in recess, numerous Republican lawmakers weighed in both in favor of and against moving forward with the resolution approved by the House Budget Committee last week.
The resolution would require the House Energy & Commerce Committee to cut a minimum of $880 billion in spending, which can only be accomplished by cutting Medicaid. Several Republican Representatives have expressed concern that they do not want to cut Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Meanwhile, the Senate passed their own FY 2025 budget resolution early Friday morning, which calls for smaller spending cuts than the House’s. However, an amendment was added that calls for Medicaid work requirements and increasing the Medicare eligibility age.
The House is planning to vote on their resolution next week. Both the Senate and the House must approve the same resolution before voting on any legislation to enact spending cuts.
Justice in Aging is urging Congress to reject the FY 2025 budget resolutions. Check out our action alert with links to our resources, as well as this Medicaid resource roundup from KFF. The Economic Policy Institute published state by state data showing how an $880 billion cut to Medicaid would slash household incomes for the bottom 40% while creating a windfall for the top 1% through tax breaks.
HUD Preparing to Terminate Half of All Employees
Reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is preparing to terminate 50% of its staff in accordance with a recent executive order directing agencies to plan for large-scale reductions in force.
Among many activities, HUD administers crucial programs providing housing and homeless assistance to the lowest-income households, including over two million older adults.
The agency also enforces civil rights laws to prevent and remedy housing discrimination. Mass terminations at HUD – which is already understaffed – would endanger critical programs and lead to more evictions and homelessness across the country.
Several senators have demanded that the HUD Secretary halt any cuts to HUD’s workforce. Advocates can also take action by urging Congress to protect HUD programs and staff. Justice in Aging is actively monitoring the terminations across the federal government for their impact on older adults.
Sign-On Opportunity to Preserve the CARES Act 30-Day Eviction Notice Requirement
The housing industry is currently pushing Congress to repeal the CARES Act’s 30-day eviction notice requirement.
Under the CARES Act, landlords must provide tenants living in federally-assisted or federally-backed properties at least 30 days’ notice before filing for eviction in nonpayment cases. The Respect State Housing Laws Act (RSHLA), championed by the landlord industry, seeks to end this requirement.
If enacted, this legislation would result in many more tenants receiving only 0-5 days of notice before an eviction is filed against them.
National, state, and local organizations can sign on to this letter urging Congress to oppose the RSHLA and preserve the CARES Act’s vital eviction protections. The deadline for signing on is Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
New Appointees in HHS Leadership Positions
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after being confirmed by the Senate last week.
Within HHS, Drew Snyder has been appointed as the new Director of the Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services (CMCS). Snyder previously served as Mississippi’s Medicaid Director.
Mehmet Oz, who has been nominated to serve as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to oversee both programs, is still awaiting his Senate confirmation hearing.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Fact Sheet: Federal Cuts to Medicaid Will Harm Older Californians on Medi-Cal (02/20)
- Issue Brief: How Medicaid Funding Caps Would Harm Older Adults (02/13)
- Comment Letter: 23 Organizations Advocate for Older Adults and Disabled People of Color to be Represented in California’s Racial Equity Commission Framework (02/13)
- Blog: House Republican Budget Resolution Signals Major Cuts to Medicaid and Programs Older Adults Need (02/13)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging Advance Notice Comments CY 2026 for MA Capitation Rates and Part C and D Payment Policies (02/10)
- Fact Sheet: Work Requirements Would Cut Medicaid for Older Adults (02/04)
- Fact Sheet: March 31 is a Double Deadline for People Eligible for Medicare (01/30)
- Fact Sheet: Medicare Part A Conditional Applications (01/28)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comment on the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for Medicare Advantage, Contract Year 2026 (01/27)
Upcoming Justice in Aging Webinars
- Medi-Cal HCBS: Why Medi-Cal is Critical for Older Adults (03/04)
- Campos et al. v. Kijakazi Settlement Agreement: What SSI Advocates Need to Know (03/11)
Justice in Aging Webinar Recordings
- Reconciliation and the Possibility of $800 Billion in Cuts to Medicaid (02/12) (via Consumer Voice)
- Protecting Medicaid for Older Adults: What’s at Risk & What Advocates Can Do (02/04)
- Observation Status Appeals (01/22) (via Center for Medicare Advocacy)
- Recent Updates to Federal Nursing Home Surveyor Guidance (01/22) (via Consumer Voice)
