From DC is Justice in Growing older’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:
Trump Begins Issuing Govt Orders
This week, President Trump started issuing a sequence of wide-ranging government orders designed to reshape the federal authorities and reverse actions taken beneath the Biden and different prior administrations. Many of those orders would require additional motion by federal companies, equivalent to issuing of steering, enacting of recent guidelines, or addressing potential litigation earlier than they will take impact.
Justice in Growing older is actively monitoring these government orders and their potential impacts on low-income older adults. We are going to maintain our community knowledgeable of any adjustments and developments. Learn extra about how we plan to advocate for older adults in 2025 to make sure all of us can age with dignity and justice.
Advocates Unite to Inform Congress To not Lower Medicaid
Justice in Growing older and our companions within the Incapacity and Growing older Collaborative (DAC) and Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) not too long ago despatched a letter to Congress opposing cuts to Medicaid and stressing the significance of Medicaid to older adults and other people with disabilities. Almost 350 advocacy organizations representing 47 states signed the letter.
It is vital for Congress to listen to straight from constituents. Use the letter and Justice in Growing older’s reality sheet to elucidate {that a} reduce to Medicaid can be a reduce to Medicare, and that any reduce would take away well being and long-term care from seniors.
Be a part of us for a webinar, Defending Medicaid for Older Adults, on February 4, 2025, to be taught extra about what advocates can do to defend Medicaid.
Examine Finds Older Adults Unaware of Medicaid Unwinding
A brand new research on the Medicaid unwinding experiences of dual-eligible older adults discovered a majority of older adults dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid had been both unaware of or solely barely conscious of the Medicaid unwinding course of.
The federal authorities inspired states to tell Medicaid enrollees about renewals restarting in April 2023. But, lower than half of the older adults surveyed heard about renewals from their state Medicaid company. Those that had been conscious of renewals had been more likely to resume their Medicaid. The research additionally discovered that people who misplaced protection as a result of a lack of information about renewals had been extra prone to forgo or delay looking for care as a result of value issues.
This research highlights the significance of state methods like ex parte renewals, frequent communication, and utility help to take care of Medicaid protection for twin eligible older adults. The Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Companies (CMS) integrated these and different insurance policies to simplify Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and renewals within the 2024 Medicaid Streamlining Rule.
Study extra about CMS’s Medicaid renewal methods and Justice in Growing older’s advocacy and assets on Medicaid and twin eligibles.
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