From DC: House Tax Bill Threatens Health Care & Food Assistance, and Fair Housing Funds at Risk

May 30, 2025

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.