From DC is Justice in Growing older’s weekly roundup of nationwide information and sources about points impacting older adults. To obtain From DC in your inbox as quickly as its revealed, join our mailing listing.
Right here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Federal Funding Deadline Nears
Federal funding is about to run out on September 30, 2025. If the Home and Senate don’t move a seamless decision to briefly fund the federal government, federal discretionary funding will stop on October 1. In that occasion, non-essential authorities providers can be paused, though impacts will fluctuate throughout companies. For instance, the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) has revealed their contingency plan, together with the plans for the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies (CMS) and the Administration for Group Dwelling (ACL). Importantly, public advantages which might be mandatorily funded, together with Social Safety, Medicare, and Medicaid will proceed.
Market Tax Credit score Cliff Shortly Approaching With out Congressional Motion
Premiums for medical health insurance by means of the Inexpensive Care Act Market are anticipated to rise steeply in 2026 and enrollees must pay these greater prices except Congress takes motion to increase the improved premium tax credit (ePTCs). Congressional Democrats are demanding to make the ePTCs everlasting as a part of any stopgap funding invoice to maintain the federal government open past this month.
The ePTCs, which have supplied many low-income older adults entry to $0 premium plans, are set to run out on the finish of this yr. With out ePTCs, premium prices will improve by over 500% for enrollees with earnings beneath $25,000 and older adults ages 50 to 64 can be disproportionately harmed.
Inform Congress to increase the ePTCs as quickly as potential. Use Households USA’s toolkit to study extra concerning the impacts in your state and phone your representatives.
HUD Withdraws A number of Truthful Housing Steering Paperwork
The U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth (HUD) lately issued two memos outlining a shift in honest housing enforcement priorities and withdrawing a number of honest housing steerage paperwork. In these memos, HUD states that it’s going to solely prioritize honest housing circumstances with “sturdy proof of intentional discrimination” and rescinds prior steerage on language entry, legal information, affordable lodging, and extra.
HUD’s memos have been launched amidst reporting concerning the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine and restrict enforcement of the Truthful Housing Act. In response to the Administration’s actions, Senator Elizabeth Warren has requested that HUD’s Workplace of Inspector Normal examine whether or not HUD is assembly its statutory responsibility to advertise honest housing and stop housing discrimination.
Every year, the vast majority of honest housing complaints contain incapacity discrimination, a difficulty typically confronted by older adults. Learn extra about honest housing points affecting older adults and folks with disabilities.
USDA Ends Annual Meals Insecurity Survey
Final week, the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) introduced that it’s going to finish its annual Family Meals Safety Report, which supplies nationwide information on meals insecurity. The longstanding report informs coverage on SNAP meals help and combating starvation. The ultimate report can be revealed subsequent month.
Meals insecurity is predicted to extend within the coming years as a result of 2025 Price range Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1), which slashes funding for SNAP meals help by billions of {dollars}. These huge funding cuts will have an effect on 40 million low-income folks – together with 8 million seniors – who depend on SNAP to afford fundamental groceries.
Learn extra concerning the dangerous impacts of H.R. 1 on older adults.
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