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:
Sign-On Opportunity to Support FY26 Funding for HUD Programs
Congress is in the process of negotiating spending bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, including spending bills for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing programs. Current proposals in the House and Senate include cuts to federal rental assistance that would result in fewer households being served and more people at risk of homelessness. Proposed cuts to the Housing Choice Voucher program, the country’s largest federal rental assistance program, would affect up to an estimated 71,000 older adults age 62 and over.
Organizations can urge Congress to fully fund all HUD housing programs by signing on to this letter by the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Housing Task Force, which Justice in Aging co-chairs. The deadline for sign-ons is today, September 5. Advocates can also register for Justice in Aging’s webinar on September 17 to learn more about federal housing updates affecting older adults.
Older Adults Could See Steep Premium Hikes for 2026 Marketplace Coverage
People shopping for 2026 coverage this fall on the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces will see a more than 75% out-of-pocket premium cost increase on average. Enrollees with income below $25,000 and older adults ages 50 to 64 will see the steepest increases. A major driver of these increases is that Congress did not extend the enhanced premium tax credits in the budget reconciliation act (H.R. 1). Without these tax credits, CBO has estimated over 4 million individuals are expected to become uninsured.
In addition, the Trump Administration announced this week that they are expanding eligibility for “hardship exemptions” that allow people to purchase catastrophic coverage through the Marketplaces. Encouraging people to enroll in catastrophic coverage is likely to drive up premium costs even more, especially for older adults and people with chronic conditions who need comprehensive coverage with lower deductibles.
The enhanced premium tax credits, which have provided many low-income older adults access to $0 premium plans, are set to expire at the end of this year. Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation (S. 2556 /H.R. 4849) to make the tax credits permanent (along with repealing the healthcare provisions of H.R. 1). And earlier this week, a bipartisan group of Representatives introduced a bill to extend the enhanced tax credits for one year.
Get more information on how H.R. 1 impacts older adults’ access to health and long-term care in our explainer and timeline.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Resource: Communicating the Harm of Medicaid Estate Recovery (8/28)
- Fact Sheet: Collecting Medicaid Costs from Heirs: How Missouri Compares to Other States (8/28)
- Fact Sheet: Collecting Medicaid Costs from Heirs: How New Jersey Compares to Other States (8/28)
- Letter: Justice in Aging Comments on the Application of Fair Labor Standards to Domestic Services (8/21)
- Toolkit: Care Coordination for D-SNP State Medicaid Agency Contracts (8/19)
- Letter: Justice in Aging Comments on HHS Interpretation of Federal Public Benefit under PRWORA (8/13)
- Resource: What’s in the Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025 and What Does it Mean for Low-Income Older Adults’ Access to Health and Long-Term Care? (8/13)
- Resource: The Budget Reconciliation Act of 2025 Means Harmful Cuts for Older Adults (8/05)
Justice in Aging Webinars
- Federal Housing Updates for Aging Advocates (9/17)
- H.R. 1 and State Budget Impacts – Updates for Aging and Disability Advocates (California webinar) (9/16)
