Thanks to the tremendous efforts through advocacy, there has been some recent positive news around funding impacting older adults and the programs JABA delivers each day. We will continue to monitor all aspects of government funding.
THE POSITIVE NEWS
Initially, a leaked FY 2026 budget draft last month revealed proposals to split up the OAA’s integral programs across two agencies, sending all but the OAA nutrition programs to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and zeroing out OAA’s Title III D and the Title VII Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. However, new formal documents shared by the Trump Administration indicate a change of plan.
According to supplemental budget materials officially released by HHS last week, all of its OAA programs and many other aging and disability programs previously administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) will move to a newly renamed Administration for Children, Families and Communities. None of JABA’s, (and all AAAs) programs will move to CMS, and the programs that made up ACL will continue to be housed in one HHS agency, allowing for continued collaboration between the aging and disability networks and, most importantly, coordination in the delivery of critical services to millions of older adults and caregivers.
Additionally, the final President’s budget does not include ANY funding cuts to OAA, the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Aging and Disability Resource Centers or Adult Protective Services, among others causing deep concerns.
ACTION AND ADVOCACY ARE STILL NEEDED!
HOWEVER: MEDICAID and SNAP benefits are still under attack. Your voice matters! Voice your concerns to Senators Kaine and Warner to Reject Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP
Last month, the House of Representatives passed the Republican reconciliation bill, 215–214, containing more than $700 billion in Medicaid cuts and $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The proposed cuts would be devastating, likely resulting in 10.9 million people losing Medicaid coverage, pushing costs to states and ultimately putting older adults and people with disabilities at risk of losing coverage for critical HCBS.
The bill is now being considered by the Senate, where Republican leadership plans to amend the bill then rush it to the Senate floor this month!
Action Needed: Call and email your Senators TODAY!
Leading Age has a wonderful tool to help you get your message to your Senators – it can be accessed using this link Action Alerts.
Or, if you want to call or send a more detailed email to Senators Kaine and Warner, US Aging has a template letter you can customize.
Email and call your Senators and urge them to reject these drastic, unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and SNAP! Use our customizable template to get started. Contact their DC and district offices; email addresses and phone numbers can be found on the Senate Directory.
I also highly recommend downloading the 5 Calls App to make contact with your representatives on all issues of concern. The app lists concerning issues independently, and provides contact information for your representatives with a script.
Thank you for using your voice to help others!
Best,
Tish Blackwell
Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer at JABA