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:
House Tax Bill That Would Strip Health Care and Food Assistance from Millions Now in Senate
Last week, the House of Representatives narrowly passed legislation that would cut over a trillion dollars from Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and SNAP food assistance – funding that is being redirected to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest 10% of Americans.
The bill – known as H.R. 1 or the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act – would cut health care coverage for nearly 14 million low-income people, including older adults, caregivers, people with disabilities, and their families. It directly cuts Medicare eligibility, rolls back coverage for financial assistance that makes Medicare affordable for low-income enrollees, and places Medicare’s future at risk.
The bill also jeopardizes access to quality long-term care by weakening staffing standards in nursing homes, reducing eligibility for long-term care by capping the home equity limit, and limiting the retroactive Medicaid period from three months to one month, leaving older adults susceptible to medical debt and gaps in care.
Additionally, the bill reduces federal funding to states, placing Medicaid’s home and community-based services (HCBS) in the crosshairs for cuts at the state level. Furthermore, the bill places the health care of aging adults ages 50-64, people with disabilities, and their caregivers at risk by imposing cost sharing and red tape, such as work reporting requirements and more frequent eligibility renewals, increasing the likelihood of people losing coverage and access to care. For a summary of the health care provisions in the bill, read KFF’s Health Provisions in the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill.
With the bill now in the Senate, sign on to this letter (open to organizations, not individuals) urging lawmakers to reject this bill and stand against these harmful cuts to protect Medicaid for older adults and people with disabilities. Stay informed and learn more about what’s at stake and what advocates can do by visiting Justice in Aging’s Medicaid defense resources.
Critical Fair Housing Funding at Risk
The Trump Administration has proposed eliminating the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s fair housing grants for nonprofits fighting housing discrimination.
In its Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for Congress, the Trump Administration seeks to zero out funding for HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). The FHIP program funds nonprofits to investigate housing discrimination; educate communities about fair housing rights; and provide advice or legal representation in fair housing cases.
Earlier this year, the Administration also unlawfully canceled grants for nearly 70 FHIP agencies, leading to ongoing litigation. FHIP agencies play a major role in the country’s fair housing enforcement system, and more than 75% of fair housing complaints are handled by FHIP organizations. Each year, the majority of fair housing complaints involve disability discrimination – an issue often faced by older adults.
Read more about fair housing issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities in our new resource, produced in partnership with The Kelsey and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF). The article, which is part of the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 2025 Advocates’ Guide, provides an overview of key disability rights issues in housing.
Advocates can also sign and share this National Fair Housing Alliance petition urging Congress to fully fund HUD’s fair housing programs.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Blog: Aggressive Immigration Policies Hurt Older Adults (5/29)
- Article: Federal Housing Protections for People with Disabilities (5/29)
- Statement: House Passes Bill that Would Rip Medicaid from Millions of Older Adults (5/22)
- Statement: The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging, and Medicare Rights Center Urge the Senate to Reject Harmful Cuts to Medicaid and Medicare (5/22)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on Proposed New “Schedule P/C” Classification for Civil Servants (5/22)
- Article: Older Adults Without Family Caregivers Need Better Access to Medicaid Support Services (5/22)
- Blog: Don’t Believe Them! The Proposed Reconciliation Bill Directly Harms Older Adults & People with Disabilities on Medicare (5/21)
- Blog: Broken Promises: Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Bill Would Cut Medicare (5/21)
- Fact Sheet: A Lifeline for Californians: The Importance of Protecting and Expanding Medi-Cal Home and Community-Based Services (5/20)
- Special Report: IMPACT Committee Report: Master Plan for Aging’s Year 4 In Review (5/19)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Statement for the Record on Medicaid Provisions in House Energy & Commerce Committee Markup of FY25 Budget Reconciliation Legislation (5/16)
- Statement: Governor’s May Revision Would Strip Coverage from Tens of Thousands of Older Californians (5/14)
- Comment Letter: Statement on the Record for Hearing on Preparing for Disasters: Unique Challenges Facing Older Americans (5/14)
- Statement: Statement on President’s FY26 Budget (5/09)
- Issue Brief: The Importance of Federal Rental Assistance for Older Adults (5/08)
- Fact Sheet: Medi-Cal Asset Limit Elimination Increases Economic Security for Low-Income Older Adults and People with Disabilities (5/07)
- Report: How Medicaid Supports Older Adults (5/06)
- Toolkit: Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) State Medicaid Agency Contract Toolkit (5/05)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on HUD’s IFR on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Revisions (5/02)
- Fact Sheet: Immigration Enforcement in Nursing Facilities, Adult Day Centers, and Other Settings for Older Adults (5/01)
Justice in Aging Webinars
- Advocating for Long-Term Care Facility Residents in 2025: Repelling Attacks and Moving Forward (6/04)
- Issues Facing LGBTQ+ Older Adults in 2025 and Beyond (6/25)