Since 1965, we as a nation have agreed that older adults hold a special place in our society. We  have collectively agreed that older Americans deserve respect and dignity. That was why in 1965  Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) to provide funding, programs, and services to  support older adults and provide them with the care and support they deserve. Americans have  stood united in the ideal that America uplifts and supports older adults. But today, older adults  face one of the most serious threats to the programs and services they have relied on for 60  years, and that threat could undo decades of progress. 

A copy of the President’s 2026 draft budget for the Department of Health and Human Services  was leaked recently, and it outlines the largest cut to the services and programs older adults rely  on in 60 years. Outlined in the plan was the complete elimination of funding for the following  programs: 

• OAA Title III D Preventive Health Services, Elder Falls Prevention discretionary grants, and  Chronic Disease Self-Management Education discretionary grants: The loss of these  programs would mean the nearly 1,500 older Philadelphians in 7 evidence-based health  and wellness programs would not have access to these educational opportunities,  screenings, and wellness activities. 
• OAA Title VII Long-Term Care Ombudsman: The loss of these funds would mean the  Ombudsman program, which helped resolve complaints made by or for residents of long term care facilities and helped protect over 1,200 older Philadelphians last year, would be  cut. 
• State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs): Eliminating funding for SHIPS,  known locally as PA MEDI and formerly APRISE, would mean more than 1,600 older  Philadelphians who received support navigating complex health insurance issues last  year through SHIPs would lose that support. 
• Elder Rights Support Activities and Elder Justice & Adult Protective Services: The loss of  these funds would mean the nearly 1,000 city residents who received many hours of legal  services enabling them to end abuse and financial exploitation, avoid homelessness,  raise grandchildren in their care, and plan for end of life, would be in jeopardy.  
• Aging and Disability Resource Centers grants: The loss of this program would dramatically  decrease the amount of person-centered counseling sessions and funding of small  partnership initiatives with community partners which improve the quality of life for the  people who benefit from these services. 
• AmeriCorps Seniors: Elimination of this funding would lead to the reduction or elimination  of the nearly 48,000 hours of support for homebound, isolated older Philadelphians who  need some assistance to remain in their homes.

These cuts, combined with possible cuts to Medicaid (health care), SNAP (food), and programs  like LIHEAP (heating) for the most vulnerable of our older neighbors, are just some of the many  threats currently facing older Americans that risk being overlooked, but that must be prevented. If  funding for OAA programs is eliminated, all older adults will be more vulnerable.  

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) has served older Philadelphians since 1973. A network  of providers, partners, and senior centers dedicated to serving and supporting older  Philadelphians have had to navigate many challenges, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.  But now we must navigate the reality that our mission to help older Philadelphians live in their  communities with dignity is under direct threat. The ideals set out in the OAA 60 years ago are  currently being challenged and the result will be that older adults in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  and across America, who currently receive vital services and programs, will face hardship. 

If Congress votes to approve the proposed cuts to OAA funding, it will have devastating  consequences for all Americans. We need to send a clear message to Congress: Americans  value older adults. Please join us in making our voices heard. Tell your members of Congress to  stop cuts to Older Americans Act funding and ensure older adults are treated with dignity and  respect.

Bill Conallen, public relations specialist, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging