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:
Bipartisan Coalition of 180+ Mayors Calls on Congress to Defend Homelessness Funding
Final week, over 180 Democratic, Republican, and Unbiased mayors despatched a letter to Congress urging members to resume present Continuum of Care (CoC) homeless help grants for an additional 12 months.
The Division of Housing and City Improvement (HUD) is searching for to upend the CoC program in 2026 by slashing funds for everlasting supportive housing (PSH) and enacting different sweeping adjustments round homelessness funding. By renewing present CoC grants, Congress can delay dangerous adjustments and guarantee stability within the CoC program subsequent 12 months.
Within the letter, the bipartisan coalition of mayors warns that HUD’s plan would “trigger havoc domestically for homelessness packages.” The coalition additionally highlights how HUD’s cuts to PSH and different everlasting housing would “withhold essential help for at the least 170,000 previously homeless older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and households with youngsters, forcing them again on the road after lastly reaching housing stability.”
HUD’s cuts to PSH would disproportionately hurt older adults, who’re the fastest-growing group amongst individuals experiencing homelessness.
Learn extra in our weblog about the necessity to save PSH for older adults, and urge Congress right now to guard PSH and CoC funding.
HHS Proposes Rollback of Transgender Civil Rights Protections
On Thursday, the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) issued a proposed rule to amend laws implementing Part 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The proposed rule would restrict federal civil rights protections for people with gender dysphoria and impose obstacles to imposing their rights below Part 504.
The proposed rule has a 30-day remark interval. Justice in Growing older joined companions in condemning the proposed rule, in addition to anti-trans actions by HHS and this administration.
As well as, the Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers (CMS) proposed two guidelines that might minimize federal funding and Medicaid protection for gender-affirming look after minors and make it rather more tough for any youth to entry important transition-related well being care.
Though these proposals pertain to look after minors, they might make entry tougher for older adults as properly. Each proposed guidelines have 60-day remark intervals.
Justice in Growing older is analyzing all of those proposals and their potential influence on older adults. We’ll present our community with updates.
Congress Kicks Well being Care Votes to Subsequent Yr
Congress is ready to go away D.C. with out extending the Reasonably priced Care Act Market enhanced premium tax credit (ePTCs) earlier than they expire on December 31. Nevertheless, the Home of Representatives will vote in January on a proposal to increase the ePTCs for 3 years.
Earlier this week, 4 Home Republicans signed a discharge petition led by Minority Chief Jeffries, forcing the vote. The potential extension continues to face an uphill battle within the Senate, which voted down the same extension final week.
Different well being care packages and insurance policies are set to run out when the persevering with decision that reopened the federal government expires on January 30. These embrace Medicare telehealth provisions and funding for outreach and enrollment help for low-income Medicare enrollees.
Justice in Growing older joined a letter urging Congress to cross the Senior Financial savings Safety Act (S. 2466/H.R. 6210), which would supply a five-year extension of the low-income outreach funding first approved within the 2008 Medicare Enhancements for Sufferers and Suppliers Act (MIPPA).
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