Aging Well: News & Insights for Seniors and Caregivers
- President's budget proposes deep cuts to vital programs allowing older adults to remain at home, including Continuum of Care (CoC), LIHEAP, and CSBG.
- Cuts would add to the $900 million Medicaid reductions in H.R. 1; the proposal is not binding and Congress controls budgeting.
- Starting January 2026, Medicare Summary Notices will be mailed twice yearly, reducing mailing frequency and potentially affecting improper billing detection.
- Advocates should help clients access claims via Medicare.gov, sign up for monthly MSN emails, and use Justice in Aging’s improper billing toolkit for dual eligibles.
- Justice in Aging released new resources, including live webinars and recordings, to support advocates serving older adults and caregivers.
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Here’s what we’re watching in Washington:
President’s Budget Proposes Deep Cuts to Critical Programs Serving Older Adults
President Trump released a budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 that recommends deep cuts for vital programs that allow older adults and people with disabilities to remain at home and in their communities.
Among other proposals, the budget recommends cutting or eliminating housing and homeless assistance programs like the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, which provides supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. The President’s budget also calls for eliminating the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families heat and cool their homes, ending programs that address discrimination, and terminating the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.
These cuts would come on top of the $900 million in cuts to Medicaid in H.R. 1. Older adults and people with disabilities simply cannot afford any further cuts to the programs they rely on. The President’s budget proposal is not binding, and Congress controls the budget process. Justice in Aging will keep advocates informed about taking action to protect critical programs for older adults.
Medicare Summary Notices Mailed Less Frequently in 2026
Starting January 2026, Medicare began mailing Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) to Original Medicare enrollees twice a year, rather than three times a year. The MSN lists all health care services that were billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid, and the maximum amount the enrollee may owe the provider.
Medicare Summary Notices are an important tool to identify improper billing. Advocates can assist their clients with accessing claim information electronically through their Medicare.gov account and by signing up to receive a monthly email with a link to an updated MSN.
To help clients dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid who have been improperly billed, see Justice in Aging’s improper billing toolkit.
New Justice in Aging Resources
Justice in Aging Webinars
Justice in Aging Webinar Recordings
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