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:
Senators Release Plan to Improve Long-Term Care Access, Quality, and Affordability
Last week, a group of 17 Democratic Senators, led by the Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, Senator Wyden (D-OR), announced plans to improve access and affordability for long-term care. In a letter to their Senate colleagues, the Senators outline three objectives: making home care affordable and accessible, improving the quality of care in nursing facilities, and strengthening the long-term care workforce.
The letter specifies plans to develop legislation to strengthen Medicaid home- and community-based services and establish a home care guarantee in Medicare. The Senators also commit to strengthening staffing standards in nursing facilities.
These objectives align with Justice in Aging’s priorities, and we will be working with lawmakers to shape and enact these needed reforms.
Immigration Policy Change Requires Immigrants to Leave the Country to Gain Lawful Permanent Residency, Harming Older Immigrants and Immigrant Caregivers
Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum changing the way certain categories of immigrants can gain legal permanent residency (LPR) status. Under the new policy, immigrants are now required to first return to their home country and then apply for LPR status under the Department of State (DOS)’s consulate policies. The consular process can take years and is expected to be longer now as a result of the policy change.
The USCIS rule poses a significant burden—especially for immigrant older adults and those relying on immigrant caregivers—and means that those applying to adjust their status would be subject to the DOS’s public charge rules.
The Trump Administration changed these rules last year in ways that are particularly biased against older adults by considering factors like age, obesity, family members’ health status, and English proficiency. Proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) public charge regulations are also currently under review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and will likely be finalized soon.
Justice in Aging will continue to monitor these issues and update our network about new developments.
New Justice in Aging Resources
- Special Report: IMPACT Committee Report: Master Plan for Aging’s Year 5 In Review (5/26)
- Comment Letter: Prioritize Health Care and Programs for Older Adults and Stop Further Funding Harmful Immigration Enforcement Policies (5/20)
- Statement: Broken Promises: Governor’s May Budget Revision Would Strip Coverage from Tens of Thousands of Older Californians (5/14)
- Statement: Trump Administration’s Attacks Put Home Care at Risk (5/14)
- Blog: Why the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Asset Limit Must Go (5/13)
- Series: Protecting and Expanding California’s Home and Community-Based Services (5/4)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on HUD’s Proposed Rule on Work Requirements and Time Limits (5/1)
- Issue Brief: Policy Reforms to Better Connect Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities to SSI and Other Benefits (4/24)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on HUD’s Proposed Rule to Revoke the 30-Day Notice Rule (4/24)
- Issue Brief: Access to Home and Community-Based Services for People with Disabilities Leaving Incarceration: Barriers and Policy Priorities (4/22)
- Comment Letter: Justice in Aging’s Comments on HUD’s Proposed Rule on Mixed-Status Households (4/21)
