From DC: HUD Funding Lawsuits, Community Living Hearing, 2027 MA/Part D Rule, Nursing Home Staffing Reversal, and More

December 5, 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:

Lawsuits Challenge HUD’s Cuts to Homelessness Funding for Permanent Housing

Two federal lawsuits were recently filed to challenge the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s plan to radically undermine the country’s largest homeless assistance program.

HUD is pushing to slash funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) in its Continuum of Care (CoC) program to shift funds to temporary and less effective forms of assistance. These cuts could take away housing for more than 170,000 formerly homeless people in PSH, most of whom are older adults and people with disabilities.

One lawsuit was filed by a coalition of 20 states, while the second was filed by a coalition of advocacy groups and local governments. The lawsuits seek to block HUD’s recently released CoC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which includes the deep cuts to PSH and other harmful changes.

Although litigation is pending, Congress can act now to protect PSH and CoC funding for next year. Read more in our blog, and urge Congress today to save PSH for older adults.

Aging Committee Hearing on Community Living

This week, the Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on the vital role of community living for older adults and people with disabilities.

Witnesses highlighted how Medicaid Home-and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Centers for Independent Living (CILs), affordable and accessible housing, and family caregivers enable individuals to remain in their homes, pursue education or employment, and stay connected to family and friends.

The witnesses also discussed the barriers and gaps to accessing these programs and how cuts to Medicaid and other programs will make it harder for older adults and people with disabilities to live at home.

Older adults and others who rely on HCBS and other programs are invited to share their stories with the Aging Committee by emailing hcbs@aging.senate.gov with a Word or PDF attachment by close of business Monday, December 8. Please note that submissions will be added to the congressional record as part of the hearing.

CMS Issues 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Proposed Rule

On November 25, CMS published the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D (MAPD) proposed rule, which addresses dual eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs) among other topics and includes several requests for information (RFI).

Comments and responses are due January 26, 2026. Justice in Aging will be providing analysis and resources for advocates to comment in the coming weeks.

CMS Seeks to Reverse Nursing Facility Staffing Minimums

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published formal notice of its intent to amend its regulations to eliminate nursing facility staffing minimums effective February 2, 2026.

These regulations, which included numerical standards for nurse aides and overall nursing staffing and a 24/7 requirement for registered nurses, had been scheduled to take effect in May 2026.

In July, Congress enacted a 10-year moratorium on enforcement of the minimum staffing standards as part of the Budget Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1), and now CMS is repealing them completely. Comments on the repeal of the standards are due by February 2, 2026.