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:
Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Hit Procedural Hurdles as Senate Rushes to Vote
Last week, the Senate Finance Committee unveiled its own version of the budget reconciliation legislation, which worsens the draconian Medicaid cuts made in the House-passed H.R. 1. Among other cuts, the Senate bill would restrict provider tax rules even more, further hobbling states’ ability to fund their Medicaid programs.
This week, the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that several of the bill’s health care provisions as currently drafted cannot proceed under the special reconciliation rules that permit passage of the bill with only 51 votes. Republicans will have to rework or scrap bill language pertaining to provider taxes, coverage for immigrants, and gender-affirming care.
The Parliamentarian is still reviewing other Medicaid provisions, including prohibiting enforcement of nursing home resident safeguards and rules that modernize eligibility and enrollment for older adults and people with disabilities who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid. The Parliamentarian has already approved revised bill language making massive cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Even with these procedural setbacks and before the Congressional Budget Office can score the bill’s full impact, Senate leadership is racing to vote before July 4th. If passed, the bill would result in the largest cuts ever made to Medicaid and SNAP — significantly harming older adults and people with disabilities who depend on these programs to meet their basic needs.
Learn more about how the cuts to Medicaid and Medicare in H.R. 1 would harm older adults in our new analysis and Justice in Aging’s other Medicaid Defense resources. Now is the moment to make your voice heard.
Call your Senators and Representative today at 202-224-3121 and urge them to vote no on H.R. 1 or any bill that cuts Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP or other critical programs older adults rely on.
SSA Releases New and Updated Forms
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently released new and updated forms for requesting continued payment of benefits in medical cessation cases and for requesting a waiver in overpayment cases.
One new form is SSA-792, the Statutory Benefit Continuation Election Statement. Statutory Benefit Continuation (SBC) allows a disability beneficiary – receiving either Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – to continue receiving benefits while they appeal a medical cessation at the reconsideration and hearing levels.
Previously, SSA had used a general statement form (SSA-795) to record a beneficiary’s request for continuing benefits. SSA’s Emergency Message, EM 25033, provides more information about how the new SSA-792 form should be used.
SSA also updated form SSA-632, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery, to reflect some of the changes to its waiver policies made in 2024. The form now:
- Reflects the increased administrative waiver amount of $2,000;
- Adds SNAP and Medicare Part D Extra Help as types of needs-based assistance indicating that the overpaid person has financial hardship and doesn’t need to complete the rest of the form; and
- Specifies that two vehicles are exempt resources for determining financial ability to repay the overpayment.
An updated version of POMS GN 02250.230 refers to the instructions in the new SSA-632. More information about the changes SSA made to its waiver policies in 2024 can be found in Justice in Aging’s resources on changes to SSA overpayment policies.
New Resources on Medicaid and SNAP Data Sharing with Immigration Enforcement
Recent reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has shared personal information about Medicaid enrollees with immigration enforcement officials, disregarding longstanding protections and violating the fundamental right to privacy.
In response to these events, the National Immigration Law Center and the Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition have released a guide with what advocates need to know, suggested actions for Medicaid and SNAP agencies, and an appendix of statutory privacy protections. The #Health4All coalition in California also developed an FAQ resource in English and a version in Spanish.
The sharing of personal information destroys the hard-earned trust that older immigrants and others hold in our government and further creates fear of government services and supports, ultimately hurting the health and well-being of all of us.
These actions are part of the Trump Administration’s larger anti-immigrant agenda that has already harmed older immigrants and older adults more broadly. Meanwhile, the budget reconciliation bill being considered in Congress attacks older immigrants by cutting health care for those who are lawfully present, authorized to work, and have lived in the U.S. and paid taxes for many years.
Read Justice in Aging’s full statement condemning the sharing of Medicaid enrollees’ personal data with immigration officials.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Fact Sheet: Work Requirements Would Cut Medicaid for Older Adults (6/24)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on California Department of Aging’s Older Americans Act State Plan (6/18)
- Fact Sheet: Reconciliation Bill Attacks Health Coverage for Older Immigrants (6/18)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on Proposed Department of Energy Direct Final Rule for Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities (6/16)
- Statement: Justice in Aging Condemns Sharing Medicaid Enrollees’ Personal Data with Immigration Officials (6/16)
- Article: Clearer Choices: Why Medicare Advantage Enrollees Need Better Information On Supplemental Benefits (6/13)
- Blog: No Exceptions: Examples Showing the Failings of Medicaid Work Requirement Exemptions for People with Disabilities (6/12)
- 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)
