Latest news with #AdministrationforCommunityLiving
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
June 2-8 is Medicare Fraud Prevention Week
The Senior Medicare Patrol launches a mobile app to fight fraud! WASHINGTON, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The fourth annual Medicare Fraud Prevention Week kicks off on Mon., June 2. Led by the Administration for Community Living's (ACL) Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, the national observance was established to raise awareness about Medicare fraud and educate individuals and communities about protecting themselves. This year's event will debut a brand-new mobile app, "SMP Medicare Tracker", that will allow users to learn about scams through games and alerts, read news, and report fraud. Another feature will be the "SMP My Health Care Tracker" where users can keep track of what happens during health care appointments to then compare to their Medicare statements for accuracy. "Each year, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion due to fraud, errors, and abuse," says the director of ACL's Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, Rebecca Kinney, who oversees the national SMP program. "Fraud can happen to anyone, and its impact on individuals and families can be dramatic, so it's vital to make people aware of the latest scams and prevention tips and tools." Common scams may look like: Receiving bills for services or supplies that weren't ordered or were never received. Getting orders for tests or services that are unnecessary. Someone calling pretending to be from Medicare or your doctor's office, needing your Medicare number for any reason. With offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, SMP provides free, unbiased one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Local team members teach people how to prevent Medicare fraud and assist beneficiaries with billing errors and disputes. If a beneficiary suspects they have been a victim of Medicare fraud, a team member will work with them to report it to the correct state and federal agencies. For more information on preventing fraud and to find a local SMP office, visit and follow the SMP National Resource Center on Facebook to learn about the most recent scams. About Senior Medicare Patrol Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a national program of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SMP works with Medicare beneficiaries, family members, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP has offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information on the program's history, funding, and outcomes, visit Media Contact:SMP Resource Centerbbauer@ Photos: Press release distributed by PRLog View original content: SOURCE SMP Resource Center Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama families fight to save vital services for 375,000 seniors — care, meals, and lives at stake
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) – For decades, local Area Agencies on Aging have provided a vital safety net for Alabama's older adults—delivering hot meals, offering caregiver relief, and advocating for the rights of nursing home residents. But now, advocates say the safety net is in danger of unraveling. The proposed FY2026 budget calls for deep cuts to the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the dissolution of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency overseeing senior services. If enacted, the plan would eliminate or drastically reduce funding for multiple programs serving vulnerable seniors—putting an estimated 375,000 older Alabamians at risk of losing access to critical support. At the Lee-Russell Council of Governments (LRCOG)—the Area Agency on Aging for Lee and Russell Counties—staff say the news was both sudden and alarming. 'We found out in March that the Administration for Community Living was being dissolved. One day, half the staff was laid off, and then we learned its programs would be split between other federal agencies,' said Jeanna Thomas, Area Agency on Aging Director at LRCOG. 'In April, a draft of the administration's budget came out, and it showed severe cuts to Older Americans Act programs—some zeroed out completely.' Founded in 1967, LRCOG is a regional hub for transit, planning, and aging services. In FY2024, the agency served over 4,100 clients through its Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), delivered more than 48,000 hot meals, and helped residents save more than $221,000 in healthcare costs through Medicare counseling and case management. 'We're trying to make sure the community understands just how important these programs are,' said Thomas. 'They help people stay in their homes, support those with dementia and their caregivers, and ensure that residents in nursing homes are being treated with dignity and respect.' That support is already stretched thin—and the proposed federal cuts would slash even deeper. 'We have seniors we visit who may not see another person all month except our case manager,' Thomas said. 'These programs are a lifeline.' Among the services at risk if the budget is approved: • ADRCs, which connect seniors and families to meals, in-home care, and benefits • Ombudsman programs that advocate for residents in long-term care facilities • Medicare SHIP counseling, which helps older adults select affordable insurance • Preventive health programs, including fall prevention and chronic disease education • Caregiver support and elder abuse prevention services 'In Alabama, it's 375,000 seniors who rely on these programs. Across the country, it's millions,' Thomas added. 'There are advocates working in Washington, but we need families at the local level calling their representatives and speaking up.' 'Optimistically, I want to believe these programs won't be cut—because I know how much it will hurt people,' she said. 'I can see the faces of those we serve. It's heartbreaking.' LRCOG Executive Director Lisa Sandt said the agency's central mission is to help seniors live independently, with dignity and support. 'We get about 5,000 calls a year from people looking for help,' Sandt said. 'Whether it's through our agency or another community group, the ADRC guides them. But that's one of the programs on the chopping block. So where do people go?' Sandt said the threat to services extends beyond seniors themselves. 'It's not just our older adults—it's their caregivers, too. The support we offer helps them keep their loved ones at home,' she said. 'Without that support, people will be forced to make impossible choices between food, medicine, and utilities.' Asked how concerned she is on a scale from one to ten, Sandt didn't hesitate: 'A ten.' As Congress prepares to debate the FY26 budget, aging advocates across Alabama and the nation are urging lawmakers to protect the Older Americans Act and preserve the infrastructure that keeps seniors safe and supported. To voice your support for these programs, contact: • Senator Tommy Tuberville: 202-224-4124 • Senator Katie Britt: 202-224-5744 For more information or to get involved, call the Lee-Russell Council of Governments at 334-528-9247. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion - Trump's budget: Senior care will shrink even as America's older population grows
The Trump administration's fiscal 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services delivers a devastating blow to the very foundation of aging services in America. By breaking apart the coordination and delivery of programs under the Older Americans Act, the administration is jeopardizing the health, independence and dignity of millions of older adults and their caregivers. At the core of this proposal is the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living, the agency that has effectively administered the Older Americans Act for over a decade. Instead of preserving the coordinated structure that allows for comprehensive, community-based services, the plan would scatter Older Americans Act programs across different agencies under the Health and Human Services umbrella. Some services, such as nutrition programs, would be moved to the Administration for Children and Families, while others — including caregiving, elder rights, transportation and health promotion — would shift to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This fragmentation would severely undermine the coordinated approach that has made the Older Americans Act a success for nearly 60 years. The act was designed to be a comprehensive system of supports, offering older adults in every community access to a range of services to help them live safely and independently at home. From home-delivered meals and transportation to in-home assistance and caregiver respite, these services are interconnected. Breaking them apart will reduce their efficiency, create unnecessary bureaucracy and, ultimately, put older adults at risk. The impacts would be felt across our country. Older adults of every political persuasion could lose access to in-home help with bathing, dressing and chores. Rides to medical appointments and community centers could disappear. Family caregivers — who often provide more hours of care than formal systems combined — would lose access to respite and support services. Those in nursing homes would be left without protections, as elder abuse prevention programs are eliminated or severely cut. In addition to the structural overhaul, the proposed budget slashes or eliminates funding for a range of critical aging programs. The Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which connect individuals with essential services, would be eliminated entirely. The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which helps millions navigate complex Medicare options, would be defunded. And evidence-based wellness programs to prevent falls and manage chronic conditions would lose vital funding with the elimination of the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This is more than just a budget proposal, it's a roadmap to abandonment. The proposal ignores the demographic reality that 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Instead of scaling up support for this rapidly growing population, it proposes to reduce and fragment services, putting older adults at greater risk of institutionalization — often a more expensive and less desired outcome. The claim that Medicare and Medicaid will remain untouched offers little reassurance when the very programs that help prevent costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements are being dismantled. Programs under the Older Americans Act are not optional luxuries; they are essential services that support health, independence and quality of life for older Americans and their families. What's needed now is a unified system that keeps older adult services intact, coordinated and adequately funded. If reorganization must occur, all Older Americans Act programs should be consolidated under an agency like the Administration for Children and Families that can maintain a holistic, community-based approach. Splintering programs across agencies that lack aging expertise, like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only creates confusion and weakens effectiveness. As Congress begins the fiscal 2026 budget process, the stakes couldn't be higher. Lawmakers must reject this disjointed approach and protect the services that help millions of older Americans thrive at home and in their communities. These are people we know and love; these are our friends, family and neighbors. Older adults deserve more than budget cuts and bureaucratic shuffle — they deserve dignity, support and a government that prioritizes their well-being. Advocates, caregivers and concerned citizens must raise their voices. Demand that Congress preserve the Older Americans Act, protect aging programs and honor the commitment we've made to support Americans as they age. The future of aging in this country depends on well-coordinated care and support. We will all need this care and support in the future, if we don't already. Nathan Boucher is associate professor of medicine, nursing, and public policy at Duke University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Trump's budget: Senior care will shrink even as America's older population grows
The Trump administration's fiscal 2026 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services delivers a devastating blow to the very foundation of aging services in America. By breaking apart the coordination and delivery of programs under the Older Americans Act, the administration is jeopardizing the health, independence and dignity of millions of older adults and their caregivers. At the core of this proposal is the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living, the agency that has effectively administered the Older Americans Act for over a decade. Instead of preserving the coordinated structure that allows for comprehensive, community-based services, the plan would scatter Older Americans Act programs across different agencies under the Health and Human Services umbrella. Some services, such as nutrition programs, would be moved to the Administration for Children and Families, while others — including caregiving, elder rights, transportation and health promotion — would shift to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This fragmentation would severely undermine the coordinated approach that has made the Older Americans Act a success for nearly 60 years. The act was designed to be a comprehensive system of supports, offering older adults in every community access to a range of services to help them live safely and independently at home. From home-delivered meals and transportation to in-home assistance and caregiver respite, these services are interconnected. Breaking them apart will reduce their efficiency, create unnecessary bureaucracy and, ultimately, put older adults at risk. The impacts would be felt across our country. Older adults of every political persuasion could lose access to in-home help with bathing, dressing and chores. Rides to medical appointments and community centers could disappear. Family caregivers — who often provide more hours of care than formal systems combined — would lose access to respite and support services. Those in nursing homes would be left without protections, as elder abuse prevention programs are eliminated or severely cut. In addition to the structural overhaul, the proposed budget slashes or eliminates funding for a range of critical aging programs. The Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which connect individuals with essential services, would be eliminated entirely. The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which helps millions navigate complex Medicare options, would be defunded. And evidence-based wellness programs to prevent falls and manage chronic conditions would lose vital funding with the elimination of the Prevention and Public Health Fund. This is more than just a budget proposal, it's a roadmap to abandonment. The proposal ignores the demographic reality that 11,000 Americans turn 65 every day. Instead of scaling up support for this rapidly growing population, it proposes to reduce and fragment services, putting older adults at greater risk of institutionalization — often a more expensive and less desired outcome. The claim that Medicare and Medicaid will remain untouched offers little reassurance when the very programs that help prevent costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements are being dismantled. Programs under the Older Americans Act are not optional luxuries; they are essential services that support health, independence and quality of life for older Americans and their families. What's needed now is a unified system that keeps older adult services intact, coordinated and adequately funded. If reorganization must occur, all Older Americans Act programs should be consolidated under an agency like the Administration for Children and Families that can maintain a holistic, community-based approach. Splintering programs across agencies that lack aging expertise, like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, only creates confusion and weakens effectiveness. As Congress begins the fiscal 2026 budget process, the stakes couldn't be higher. Lawmakers must reject this disjointed approach and protect the services that help millions of older Americans thrive at home and in their communities. These are people we know and love; these are our friends, family and neighbors. Older adults deserve more than budget cuts and bureaucratic shuffle — they deserve dignity, support and a government that prioritizes their well-being. Advocates, caregivers and concerned citizens must raise their voices. Demand that Congress preserve the Older Americans Act, protect aging programs and honor the commitment we've made to support Americans as they age. The future of aging in this country depends on well-coordinated care and support. We will all need this care and support in the future, if we don't already.
CBS News
21-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Federal funding cut makes Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels uncertain about ability to deliver
Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels says it's experiencing uncertain times after changes within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shuttered the Administration for Community Living. The federal program accounted for half of the local organization's food budget. CEO Barbara Niess-May says she's honestly not sure how long they'll be able to deliver meals to their hundreds of clients in Washtenaw County. Niess-May is also uncertain if they'll be able to check in on these older adults when making drop-offs in the future. The median age of the clients Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels serves is 74, making the interaction with the driver nearly as important as the food they deliver. "There have been many times when we've been on a delivery and we've interrupted a major medical event, or we've noticed something and we've been able to reach out to a loved one and say we've noticed something different, and then they were able to intervene," Niess-May said. She says they're forced to use rainy day funds and look at dollars from a county millage for older adults to try and fill the $250,000 void, but she also says this isn't the type of thing those funds are supposed to be used for. "The millage was intended to grow services, and the reserve is there for when something happens, and this didn't have to be the thing that happened. This didn't have to be a catastrophe," Niess-May said. She says she's most concerned about their clients' health, citing potential losses to Meals on Wheels, their income through Social Security, and their health through Medicaid. "Food is important, but it feels like a drop in the bucket when they're using Social Security to pay their rent and that Medicaid is the only healthcare that they have access to. What's going to happen to them then?" she said. Niess-May says 30% of their clients bring in less than $1,000 every month, and they are more than likely on a fixed income. She is uncertain of what's next for her organization and the clients it cares for.
