Trellis learned via a leaked federal document about several issues that could upend services to older adults and caregivers under the Older Americans Act (OAA). The OAA is the foundation for programs around the country that keep older adults living at home and in their communities, preventing and delaying more costly care often provided through Medicaid. Last year, Trellis awarded $13.6 million OAA dollars to 39 organizations in the 7-county metro area.
The leaked document, which is marked as pre-decisional, outlines the following major changes to the structure and funding within the Older Americans Act:
- Programs within the Older Americans Act would be divided between the Administration for Children and Families and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This change undermines the cost savings that are possible when all OAA programs are administered from the same body. Splitting OAA programs would lead to administrative burden and fewer dollars reaching the people they are meant to support. Trellis supports a structure in which the OAA remains intact within the Administration for Children and Families where it can have the greatest impact.
- Funding for health promotion and disease prevention programs within the OAA would be eliminated entirely. These funds provide critical upstream supports to help people prevent falls and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Our goal should be to prevent and manage these expensive—and life-threatening—conditions. Trellis supports ongoing funding for health promotion and disease prevention programs.
- Elder justice programs, including adult protective services, elder rights and the long-term care ombudsman program would be completely defunded. Trellis supports ongoing funding for elder justice programs to protect older adults from abuse.
- Funding for home-delivered meals and congregate dining within the Older Americans Act would be cut by approximately 10%. As our population continues to age, the need for these meals is only increasing. Home-delivered meals are a lifeline for older adults who are unable to afford healthy meals or shop for themselves. Trellis supports funding senior meals programs at current or increased levels to meet the growing need.
What you can do
Contact your members of Congress and urge them to protect the Older Americans Act:
Feel free to use the script below in your calls and emails or use your own message in support of the Older Americans Act. Add personal or professional experiences as you are able:
President Trump’s preliminary budget and the restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services threatens the well-being of older adults and caregivers across the country. The President’s proposed budget would split apart and weaken the Older Americans Act, which has been the foundation of cost-effective older adult services for six decades. Funding for senior meals would be reduced at a time when the need is growing rapidly. Programs that help people prevent falls and manage chronic conditions would be eliminated completely. This is the wrong direction if we are serious in our country about caring for older adults in the most cost-effective ways.
I ask that you take measures to keep the Older Americans Act intact and fully funded from within the Administration for Children and Families. Without this critical funding, older adults and caregivers will suffer and taxpayers will bear the burden of more expensive forms of care.
Thank you for your partnership and your support for our mission to help older adults and caregivers thrive in our communities.
