Hello from Washington, where the federal government is open again at last. The longest shutdown in history is over, but its impact is still being felt. What’s in the agreement that passed? Here are some highlights: -
Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue through Sept. 30, 2026. 7.8 million low-income older adults count on SNAP to afford the food they need to stay healthy.
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Services that provide meals, transportation, caregiver support, senior center activities, and more under the Older Americans Act are level-funded through Jan. 30, 2026.
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Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) is funded through Jan. 30, 2026. This is a big win, as MIPPA helps low-income Medicare beneficiaries afford their Medicare plans. Strong bipartisan support also continues to build for funding MIPPA. Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Lisa Blunt-Rochester, D-Del., introduced a bill this summer to extend funding for five more years.
While things are settled for the moment, we’ll need to continue pushing to protect these programs early in the new year. We’ll keep you informed so you can take action when needed. |
