From DC is Justice in Growing 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 printed, join our mailing listing.
Right here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Signal-On Alternative to Protect the CARES Act 30-Day Eviction Discover Requirement
Advocates are working to forestall Congress from repealing the CARES Act’s 30-day eviction discover requirement. Below the CARES Act, landlords should present tenants residing in federally-assisted or federally-backed properties not less than 30 days’ discover earlier than submitting for eviction in nonpayment circumstances. This discover interval is considerably longer than these required beneath most state and native landlord-tenant legal guidelines.
Nevertheless, the Respect State Housing Legal guidelines Act (RSHLA) – championed by the housing business – seeks to finish the CARES Act discover requirement.
Organizations can urge Congress to oppose the RSHLA and protect essential eviction protections by signing on to this letter, led by the George Washington Legislation Faculty’s Well being Fairness Coverage & Advocacy Clinic. The deadline to signal on is January 10, 2025, and the letter is open to nationwide, state, and native organizations.
HUD Points Remaining Rule on 30-Day Discover for Nonpayment of Lease Circumstances
The U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth (HUD) lately issued a ultimate rule that requires public housing authorities (PHAs) and HUD-assisted house owners to supply not less than 30 days’ discover earlier than terminating leases resulting from nonpayment of hire.
Importantly, this new rule additionally establishes the correct to remedy nonpayment throughout the 30-day discover interval. In response to feedback by Justice in Growing old and others, HUD revised this ultimate rule to clarify that PHAs and house owners should not file for eviction if a tenant pays their rental arrears throughout the 30 days.
Furthermore, the brand new rule requires 30-day notices to incorporate directions on how tenants can request hardship exemptions or take different actions to deal with nonpayment points.
Justice in Growing old strongly helps HUD’s ultimate rule, which can stop pointless evictions for older adults and other people with disabilities. Be taught extra about Justice in Growing old’s advocacy on housing and homelessness prevention.
HHS Outlines Key Necessities for Efficient Language Entry
Earlier this month, the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers Workplace for Civil Rights (HHS OCR) issued a letter to well being care suppliers and plans about the way to adjust to new language entry rules beneath the Well being Care Rights Legislation (Part 1557 of the Inexpensive Care Act).
These guidelines are necessary for older adults, as a brand new HHS information snapshot reveals that almost 1 in 10 Medicare enrollees, and 50% of Hispanic and Asian enrollees, have restricted English proficiency (LEP).
The HHS OCR letter supplies examples of the steps that suppliers, plans, and different entities topic to Part 1557 should take to make sure significant entry for people with LEP, together with translating necessary paperwork and offering interpreters freed from cost. It additionally addresses points akin to interpreter and translator {qualifications}, automated translations, and non-reliance on minor kids or different unqualified people to interpret.
Justice in Growing old encourages advocates to share the HHS OCR letter with suppliers. Advocates may study extra in regards to the Well being Care Rights Legislation in our truth sheet and webinar about Part 1557.
In case your purchasers expertise discrimination in accessing well being care, Justice in Growing old is offered to help with submitting a grievance with HHS OCR.
CMS Releases LTSS Expenditure and Person Report
The Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers (CMS) launched new studies analyzing 2022 long-term companies and helps (LTSS) person and expenditures information, highlighting state efforts to shift funding from institutional care to house and community-based companies (HCBS). Notably, resulting from state variation within the high quality of the underlying information, this evaluation possible undercounts LTSS and HCBS use.
Justice in Growing old continues to work with CMS to enhance state reporting of information and subsequent evaluation to make sure future studies extra precisely replicate the realities of LTSS use and expenditures nationally.
Our companions on the Group Residing Fairness Middle (CLEC) additionally lately launched a brand new Group Residing Fairness Dashboard offering information on disparities in entry to LTSS and HCBS. Be taught extra about this new software throughout a CLEC webinar on January 16, 2025.
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New from the Nationwide Middle on Legislation & Elder Rights (NCLER)
On January 9, NCLER will current a webinar offering an Replace on Social Safety Overpayment Insurance policies. In 2024, the Social Safety Administration (SSA) made main adjustments to its insurance policies on overpayments. This coaching will overview latest adjustments to numerous overpayment insurance policies, with a specific concentrate on the waiver software course of. Be taught extra and register.
