News
President Trump Releases Budget Requesting Deep Cuts to Domestic Programs
- By: USAging
- On: 02/16/2018 10:50:06
- In: Policy & Advocacy
This week the Trump Administration sent its FY 2019 budget request to Congress, and while core OAA programs were spared significant cuts, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and senior workforce development program were targeted for elimination.
Additionally, a number of programs that support aging services were cut or zeroed out entirely, including the major block grant programs that many communities use to supplement funding for local aging programs. Federal safety net programs that support millions of our nation's older adults, such as Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP, were also targeted for steep cuts.
n4a's recent Legislative Update offers an initial analysis of the budget proposal, but we are still awaiting full details from the Administration before sending a more robust analysis. n4a also released a statement today from CEO Sandy Markwood responding to the budget request.
While the President's budget is only a request and is not binding, many of the proposals mirror policy proposed by current Congressional leaders and Aging advocates will need to continue to the drum beat on the importance of securing adequate funding for Older Americans Act and other critical aging services.