Advocacy

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging is committed to staying engaged in, and sharing, the latest public policy news affecting older adults, caregivers and the professionals who care for them.

Check out current policy news below!

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Executive Updates

In late March, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy announced a drastic reorganization of HHS. Per the HHS statement, “The critical programs within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) that support older adults and people of all ages with disabilities will be split across the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).” This announcement included layoffs of 10,000 at HHS, including 40% of Administration for Community Living (ACL) staff. 

Federal Funding Updates

Congress has started the FY26 Appropriations process, holding hearings and accepting appropriations requests from groups. A precursor to the President’s FY26 budget, called the Office of Management and Budget Passback, was leaked to the press last week. The Passback calls for eliminating many aging programs, including most elder justice programs, Elder Falls Prevention, and Chronic Disease Self-Management Education. It also eliminates many disability programs. It would retain funding for the three core OAA programs, nutrition, Title III B supportive services, and Caregivers at FY 24 levels. The final President’s Budget could be sent to Congress as early as early May. Congress would need to weave any program cuts into their own appropriations bills for them to be final. National aging organizations are working to prevent these proposed cuts from becoming a reality.

Also of importance is the ongoing effort in the House and Senate to pass a Budget Reconciliation bill. The House and Senate passed a shared budget resolution that directs committees to identify program cuts for budget reconciliation. Much of the focus is on Medicaid and how much it will need to be cut. In addition, another key focus is the size and scope of a tax bill and whether it could include either an end to Social Security taxation of benefits or a first-time family caregiver tax credit. Committees will start identifying specific program cuts in early May.

Legislative Updates

The bipartisan Financial Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025 (H.R. 2478) was reintroduced by Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO). This gives the financial industry better tools to address suspected financial exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults.

The bicameral, bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R.2540/ S.1234) was introduced by Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Mastro (D-NV). This would update asset levels in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, last updated in 1984, allowing older adults and those with disabilities to maintain assets and qualify for SSI.

Health Updates

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held its first meeting of 2025 in April. There were concerns when its February meeting was cancelled that recommendations could be delayed. ACIP voted to recommend adults 50–59 years of age who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease receive a single dose of RSV vaccine. Previously, the RSV vaccine was recommended for adults 75 and older and adults 60-69 years of age with increased risk. Every year, RSV causes 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000 to 10,000 deaths among adults aged 65 and older.

Washington Update

The Washington Update is produced monthly with our partners at Matz, Blancato & Associates to share the latest information about policy issues impacting older adults and their families. Subscribe here.