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:
President’s Budget Proposes Deep Cuts to Critical Programs Serving Older Adults
President Trump released a budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 that recommends deep cuts for vital programs that allow older adults and people with disabilities to remain at home and in their communities.
Among other proposals, the budget recommends cutting or eliminating housing and homeless assistance programs like the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, which provides supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. The President’s budget also calls for eliminating the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families heat and cool their homes, ending programs that address discrimination, and terminating the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.
These cuts would come on top of the $900+ billion in cuts to Medicaid in H.R. 1. Older adults and people with disabilities simply cannot afford any further cuts to the programs they rely on. The President’s budget proposal is not binding, and Congress controls the budget process. Justice in Aging will keep advocates informed about taking action to protect critical programs for older adults.
Medicare Summary Notices Mailed Less Frequently in 2026
Starting January 2026, Medicare began mailing Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) to Original Medicare enrollees twice a year, rather than three times a year. The MSN lists all health care services that were billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid, and the maximum amount the enrollee may owe the provider.
Medicare Summary Notices are an important tool to identify improper billing. Advocates can assist their clients with accessing claim information electronically through their Medicare.gov account and by signing up to receive a monthly email with a link to an updated MSN.
To help clients dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid who have been improperly billed, see Justice in Aging’s improper billing toolkit.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Alert: Take Action to Stop Harmful HUD Proposals (4/9)
- Fact Sheet: H.R. 1 Reduces Medicaid Retroactive Eligibility Starting in 2027 (4/9)
- Fact Sheet: H.R. 1 Imposes New Limit on Home Equity for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Effective 2028 (4/9)
- Fact Sheet: How Medicare and Medi-Cal Work Together for Older Adults (4/6)
- Toolkit: Provider Network Protections for D-SNP State Medicaid Agency Contracts (3/31)
- Resource: Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026 (HR 7828, S. 4001) Sponsors and Supporters (3/25)
- Fact Sheet: How H.R. 1 Impacts People Dually Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (3/24)
- Article: Federal Housing Protections for People with Disabilities (Justice in Aging, The Kelsey, and Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund) (Updated 3/23)
- FAQ: Payment Options for Individuals Who Owe Past-Due Medicare Premiums (3/23)
- Fact Sheet: The Medicare Low-Income Subsidy Can Save Enrollees Thousands of Dollars (3/23)
- Fact Sheet: How to Access Free Part D Plans for Low Income Subsidy Enrollees (3/23)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging Comments on the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) (3/13)
- Fact Sheet: Behavioral Health Services Act Advocacy for Older Californians (3/10)
Justice in Aging Webinars
- Navigating the Social Security Administration: Options for Advocates (4/14)
- Fighting Evictions in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities (4/29)
