Call to Action: Stop the Attack on Programs for Older Americans

Posted on by Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging

In an alarming move, the Trump Administration’s leaked, and now partially released, FY 2026 budget outlines a devastating roadmap for the future of programs that help older Americans stay safe, healthier, and in the communities and homes of choice for as long as possible. From the proposed elimination of critical programs to the dismantling of the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), these changes threaten to gut the infrastructure that supports our nation’s older adults, caregivers, and aging service providers.

Despite assurances that people age 60 years and older are protected, the proposed 22.7% cut to non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending tells a different story. Vital programs that are on the chopping block or being shifted into bureaucratic chaos:

  • Nutrition programs at senior centers and for home delivery
    (e.g., Meals on Wheels, Mom’s Meals)
  • Elder rights programs
    (adult protective services, elder abuse prevention programs, fraud and scam prevention programs)
  • Aging and disability resource centers/networks
  • Long-term Care Ombudsman Office
    (the advocacy voice for those living in long-term care like nursing homes)

The administration proposes splitting programs of the Older Americans Act (OAA) between different agencies—shifting nutrition programs to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and others to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This splintering of the OAA not only violates statutory requirements but undermines the holistic and coordinated care model that older adults and caregivers rely upon. The implications are vast: elimination or disorganized placement of Title III D health promotion and disease prevention programs, chronic disease management, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) means that older adults are less safe, have fewer resources to manage their health and well-being, and remain at risk for fraud, abuse, scams, and financial exploitation. Additionally, Section 202 Housing is being folded into a state block grant with arbitrary limits and vague assurances.

These inefficient changes and attacks on programs that serve older adults, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities [see article on additional cuts to disability programs and services) must be prevented!

Beggar Woman Images | Free Photos, PNG ...

Before programs for older Americans, poverty, homelessness, job discrimination, and poor health were all too common.

Now is the time to raise our voices. While this is only a draft budget, it sets the stage for congressional negotiations already underway. We should not be persuaded to wait. The current Administration has proven it will move quickly without consulting the public. It is time to be proactive as being waiting and reacting will be far too late. We must ensure Congress understands the catastrophic impact of these proposals on the lives of older Americans.

This is not just budget policy. This is a direct attack on the dignity, health, and independence of older adults and individuals with disabilities.

We must act now before irreversible damage is done.

#FlipTheScriptOnAging #AgingWithDignity #AgingMatters

Take Action Today:

Contact your members of Congress and demand they reject any budget proposal that dismantles the OAA or eliminates aging programs.

Iowa Congressional Senators:

Iowa Congressional Representatives (https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative):

Remember, each of your elected Congressional members have local offices and host community “town hall” meetings! You are urged to go to these offices and attend public meetings to share your concerns as well.

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