From DC is Justice in Getting old’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 record.
Right here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
Replace on Finances Reconciliation & New Sources to Shield Medicaid
Republicans in Congress continued negotiations over their FY 2025 price range resolutions this week. Whereas the Home was in recess, quite a few Republican lawmakers weighed in each in favor of and in opposition to shifting ahead with the decision accepted by the Home Finances Committee final week.
The decision would require the Home Power & Commerce Committee to chop a minimal of $880 billion in spending, which may solely be achieved by reducing Medicaid. A number of Republican Representatives have expressed concern that they don’t need to reduce Medicaid or the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP).
In the meantime, the Senate handed their very own FY 2025 price range decision early Friday morning, which requires smaller spending cuts than the Home’s. Nevertheless, an modification was added that requires Medicaid work necessities and rising the Medicare eligibility age.
The Home is planning to vote on their decision subsequent week. Each the Senate and the Home should approve the identical decision earlier than voting on any laws to enact spending cuts.
Justice in Getting old is urging Congress to reject the FY 2025 price range resolutions. Try our motion alert with hyperlinks to our sources, in addition to this Medicaid useful resource roundup from KFF. The Financial Coverage Institute revealed state by state information displaying how an $880 billion reduce to Medicaid would slash family incomes for the underside 40% whereas making a windfall for the highest 1% by means of tax breaks.
HUD Getting ready to Terminate Half of All Staff
Stories point out that the U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth (HUD) is getting ready to terminate 50% of its workers in accordance with a latest govt order directing businesses to plan for large-scale reductions in drive.
Amongst many actions, HUD administers essential applications offering housing and homeless help to the lowest-income households, together with over two million older adults.
The company additionally enforces civil rights legal guidelines to forestall and treatment housing discrimination. Mass terminations at HUD – which is already understaffed – would endanger crucial applications and result in extra evictions and homelessness throughout the nation.
A number of senators have demanded that the HUD Secretary halt any cuts to HUD’s workforce. Advocates also can take motion by urging Congress to guard HUD applications and workers. Justice in Getting old is actively monitoring the terminations throughout the federal authorities for his or her affect on older adults.
Signal-On Alternative to Protect the CARES Act 30-Day Eviction Discover Requirement
The housing trade is at present pushing Congress to repeal the CARES Act’s 30-day eviction discover requirement.
Below the CARES Act, landlords should present tenants dwelling in federally-assisted or federally-backed properties at the least 30 days’ discover earlier than submitting for eviction in nonpayment circumstances. The Respect State Housing Legal guidelines Act (RSHLA), championed by the owner trade, seeks to finish this requirement.
If enacted, this laws would end in many extra tenants receiving solely 0-5 days of discover earlier than an eviction is filed in opposition to them.
Nationwide, state, and native organizations can signal on to this letter urging Congress to oppose the RSHLA and protect the CARES Act’s very important eviction protections. The deadline for signing on is Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
New Appointees in HHS Management Positions
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has been sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) after being confirmed by the Senate final week.
Inside HHS, Drew Snyder has been appointed as the brand new Director of the Heart for Medicaid & CHIP Providers (CMCS). Snyder beforehand served as Mississippi’s Medicaid Director.
Mehmet Oz, who has been nominated to function the Administrator of the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers (CMS) to supervise each applications, continues to be awaiting his Senate affirmation listening to.
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