LeadingAge on March 11, 2025, sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging an immediate end to the pause on external communications in place since January 21.

Originally scheduled to end on February 1, the pause was implemented to give the incoming Administration time to review policies and communications for alignment with new policies.

LeadingAge was direct with the Secretary stating,  the ban on communications is disruptive, obstructive, and contradicts the Secretary’s commitment to “radical transparency.”  The ongoing pause has caused confusion and disruption across the healthcare sector, including within long-term care. LeadingAge called on Secretary Kennedy to lift the pause and allow agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to resume their previous communication practices.

Read our letter here.