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:
HUD Releases Interim Final Rule Rescinding Eviction Protections
Yesterday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published an interim final rule (IFR) revoking certain eviction protections in HUD-assisted housing. The IFR, which is effective next month on March 30, rescinds a 2024 HUD rule requiring Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and owners to provide 30 days’ notice before terminating a lease for nonpayment of rent. Importantly, this rule also created a right to cure nonpayment within 30 days regardless of more restrictive state laws.
Justice in Aging advocated for the 2024 HUD rule, which helps prevent evictions and homelessness for older adults and other tenants. Advocates can submit comments opposing the IFR until April 27, 2026.
CMS Delays Implementation of Grievance Systems in Medicaid Fee-For-Service HCBS
The Access Rule requires state Medicaid programs to implement grievance systems in fee-for-service home and community-based services by no later than July 9, 2026. This week, however, CMS effectively extended that deadline by approximately 18 months, until December 31, 2027.
Grievance systems are an important mechanism to ensure that consumers receive adequate services of appropriate quality, so the delay is unwelcome. That being said, CMS justifies the extension on the need for states to address technical and coordination issues, so advocates are encouraged to continue their advocacy with states without interruption, and to not allow states to forget about the importance and promise of HCBS grievance systems.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Toolkit: MACPAC Recommends Increased Use of HCBS Provisional Service Plans (2/26)
- Alert: Workgroup Recommends Revisions to HCBS Quality Measure Set (2/19)
- Fact Sheet: Understanding the Impact of H.R.1 on Older Immigrants’ Access to Health Care (2/18)
- Fact Sheet: Understanding the Impact of H.R.1 on Older Immigrants’ Access to Health Care in California (2/18)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on HUD’s Proposed Rule on the Fair Housing Act’s Disparate Impact Standard (2/13)
- Blog: Aging and Disability Advocates Help Push Back on HUD’s Efforts to Dismantle Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) (2/12)
- Fact Sheet: How Medicaid Supports Older Adults (2/12)
- Alert: Justice in Aging Launches Older Adult Behavioral Health Project in California (2/4)
- Alert: Amicus Brief Highlights how DHS’s Mandatory Detention Policy Imperils Older Adults (2/3)
- Toolkit: Mitigating the Harms of Medicaid Work Requirements for Older Adults: Tools for State Advocates (2/4)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging Comments Against the Rescission of the Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule (1/31)
- Alert: Take Action to Stop Attack on Disability Rights (1/29)
- Fact Sheet: March 31 is a Double Deadline for People Eligible for Medicare (1/27)
- Fact Sheet: Get the Facts: Work Requirements and Time Limits Will Worsen Housing Instability (with National Housing Law Project, Center for Law and Social Policy, National Low-Income Housing Coalition, and Southern Poverty Law Center) (1/27)
Justice in Aging Webinars
Justice in Aging Webinar Recordings
- Implementing New Medicaid Work Requirements: Strategies to Mitigate Harm in Your State (2/5)
- Money Follows the Person and LTSS Rebalancing: Opportunities for States (Hosted by Community Living Policy Center) (1/29)
- LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Updates and Emerging Threats (1/28)
