From DC is Justice in Getting old’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:
The 2027 Medicare Benefit and Half D proposed rule contains modifications impacting individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and language entry. Enter from advocates within the area is necessary.
Use Justice in Getting old’s template feedback to remark by 5 pm EST/ 2 pm PST Monday, January 26, 2026.
Oppose Repeal of Nursing Facility Minimal Staffing Requirements
Final month, the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers (CMS) issued an interim closing rule (IFR) that may rescind the federal minimal staffing requirements for nursing houses efficient February 2, 2026.
The staffing rule was finalized in 2024 to enhance staffing for the worst amenities. These rules, which included numerical requirements for nurse aides and total nursing staffing and a 24/7 requirement for registered nurses, had been scheduled to take impact in Might 2026.
Ample staffing is among the greatest components for figuring out residents’ well being and security. Even modest will increase in staffing as supplied within the 2024 rule have been projected to avoid wasting 13,000 lives annually.
The 2024 rule gave amenities a number of years for implementation and supplied extra exemptions if amenities couldn’t adjust to the requirements regardless of their finest efforts. Rescinding the rule places nursing residence residents at a lot higher threat of harm, sickness, and even dying resulting from power understaffing.
Advocates can categorical their opposition to the IFR till February 2, 2026. The Nationwide Client Voice for High quality Lengthy-Time period Care created a sign-on letter for state and nationwide organizations. People can submit their very own feedback right here.
For extra background on protections for nursing residence residents, see Justice in Getting old’s nursing residence assets.
HUD Releases Proposed Rule on the Honest Housing Act’s Disparate Influence Commonplace
The U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth (HUD) just lately launched a proposed rule on implementation of the Honest Housing Act’s disparate impression normal. HUD is proposing to “take away its [disparate impact] rules and leaving to courts questions associated to interpretations of disparate impression legal responsibility below the Honest Housing Act.”
Disparate impression discrimination happens when a facially impartial coverage or observe ends in an unjustified, detrimental disparate impression on members of a protected class. Disparate impression legal responsibility is a key civil rights instrument and a longstanding authorized principle upheld by courts in numerous contexts. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court docket discovered that disparate impression claims will be introduced below the Honest Housing Act.
Feedback on HUD’s proposed rule are due on February 13, 2026.
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