Responding to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reorganization plan announced March 27, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a coalition of 68 national nonprofit organizations including LeadingAge, sent a letter to the HHS Secretary regarding concerns with the agency’s restructuring and its potential impact on the well-being of America’s older adult population.

“As you begin the transformation of HHS, we urge you to ensure older Americans continue to have uninterrupted access to the services and supports they need to age with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities,” says Debra Whitman, Chair, emphasizing the importance of continued efficient, effective and coordinated delivery of services to older adults and people with disabilities under the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

The proposed reorganization would eliminate ACL and move its programs across three different HHS divisions.

Older adults and people with disabilities rely upon these programs to be able to remain at home and in the community, understand and access their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, age with maximum health and wellness, stay safe and free from abuse, and to support their family caregivers who enable older adults to stay out of more costly long-term-care institutions.

LCAO asks HHS for answers to a list of questions to provide clarity to the aging services community on what these changes mean for older adults and those who support and advocate for them.

• How will this reorganization serve your goal of healthy aging?
• How will ACL’s existing crucial aging programs be implemented and advanced within this new organizational structure?
• How will the changes affect the Assistant Secretary for Aging role and responsibilities?
• What steps are being taken to ensure programs and services that older adults depend on, including but not limited to Meals on Wheels, health and wellness programs delivered in senior centers, support and training for family caregivers, among others, will not be impacted during this transition?
• How are you monitoring any potential impacts on people at the local level and what safeguards are in place to protect against any negative effect on programs?
• How will these changes affect the funding, staffing and prioritization of services to older adults who wish to remain within their homes and communities?

To follow news of the HHS reorganization, its impact on aging services, and related developments, see our HHS Reorganization, Staff Cuts, and Impact on Aging Services serial post.