From DC is Justice in Getting older’s weekly roundup of nationwide information and assets about points impacting older adults. To obtain From DC in your inbox as quickly as its revealed, join our mailing checklist.
Right here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Medicaid At Danger Underneath New Congressional Management
Because the 119th Congress will get underway, experiences within the information present that Medicaid funding and eligibility cuts are on the desk. Republicans are looking for to leverage their slim majorities in each chambers and use the funds reconciliation course of to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold.
Some lawmakers are placing forth Medicaid “reform” proposals to incorporate in funds reconciliation that purpose to take funding away from states and limit eligibility via work necessities and different means. As Justice in Getting older’s new truth sheet explains, any of those cuts would lead to older adults shedding entry to well being and long-term care.
It is necessary that each Democrats and Republicans in Congress hear that Medicaid is a lifeline for older adults and can’t be sliced or diced with out inflicting them hurt. Name (202) 224-3121 to inform your members of Congress to oppose any cuts to Medicaid.
Federal Businesses Concern Clarifying Steering on Medicare Benefit Flex Playing cards
Medicare Benefit (MA) plans can supply enrollees supplemental advantages via pre-paid debit playing cards or “flex playing cards” that can be utilized to pay for well being care and different every day bills. Federal businesses have clarified how these advantages impression eligibility for public advantages.
Latest U.S. Division of Agriculture steering outlines how MA supplemental advantages are excluded as revenue for Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP) eligibility. Social Safety Administration steering equally clarifies that MA advantages shouldn’t be counted as revenue for the Supplemental Safety Revenue (SSI) program.
Final week, the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies (CMS) confirmed in a letter responding to a congressional inquiry that MA supplemental advantages issued via a debit card shouldn’t be handled in another way than different supplemental advantages for the needs of public profit eligibility. Most not too long ago, The U.S. Division of Housing and City Improvement (HUD) launched an FAQ on HUD-assisted Housing and Medicare Benefit Supplemental Profits. This FAQ describes how MA advantages which can be used to pay for hire and utilities might have an effect on an individual’s HUD advantages.
Justice in Getting older shall be creating additional schooling on flex playing cards. Advocates can even weigh in on the advertising of flex playing cards within the 2026 proposed Medicare Half C and D rule. Justice in Getting older has template feedback addressing this subject and different components of the proposed rule. Feedback are due January 27, 2025.
2025 Federal Poverty Pointers
The U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) has launched new federal poverty tips which can be used to find out eligibility for Medicaid and different applications, such because the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP).
In 2025, the federal poverty guideline (also known as FPL) is $15,650 for a person and $21,150 for a two-person family. HHS’s web site has charts displaying the rules for various family sizes and percentages of FPL, in addition to the adjusted tips for Alaska and Hawaii.
DOJ Entry to Justice Prize
The U.S. Division of Justice (DOJ) Workplace of Entry to Justice is launching the Entry to Justice Prize, a nationwide competitors to spur revolutionary options to closing the justice hole and reaching equal entry to justice for all.
The theme for the 2025 Prize is “Closing the Rural Justice Hole,” and DOJ is looking for proposals that deal with entry to justice challenges in rural communities. The competitors is open to nonprofit and community-based organizations, tutorial establishments, and authorities businesses.
Finalists will obtain $5,000, and the winner will obtain $50,000. The deadline for purposes is March 31, 2025.
New Justice in Getting older Sources
Upcoming Justice in Getting older Webinars
Justice in Getting older Webinar Recordings
New from the Nationwide Middle on Legislation & Elder Rights (NCLER)
On January 21st, NCLER will host a coaching on Elder Abuse Illustration 101: Case and Consumer Administration. That is the primary coaching in a three-part collection designed to offer authorized and elder rights practitioners with the fundamental instruments and civil authorized methods wanted to assist older adults who’ve skilled abuse. This webinar will give attention to case and consumer administration. Study extra and register.
