Congress eyes cuts to programs for seniors, children

Proposed cuts to federal health and human services programs could dramatically affect seniors and low-income families in Young County, according to local advocates and national organizations.

A leaked 64-page budget document obtained by The Washington Post last week revealed plans by the Trump administration to reduce discretionary spending at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by one-third — a $40 billion cut that would reshape the agency and eliminate several cornerstone public health and safety programs.

While the Senior Nutrition Services program under Title III of the Older Americans Act was spared from cuts in the proposal, Angela Lockard, director of the Olney-Young County Senior Cub Center, said the news is not as reassuring as it might sound.

“I’m very concerned for the aging population and low-income families,” she said. “Our center is one of many across the nation which has had to implement a wait list. If this proposed cut is passed, serving the unmet need will become an even greater challenge as more aging adults and low-income families seek our services. But the Cub Center board wants to reassure the public that we will continue looking for ways to increase serving those in need.”

Mrs. Lockard’s concerns echo warnings from Meals on Wheels America, which issued an alert following the Post’s report. The organization said it was “extremely concerned” by the proposal’s dismantling of several Older Americans Act programs, as well as other critical services under HHS.

Among the programs proposed for elimination are those offering preventive health services for seniors, falls prevention programs, chronic disease self-management education, rural health initiatives, the Community Services Block Grant, Head Start, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“These changes would significantly weaken the health and social safety net relied upon by millions of older adults, individuals with disabilities and low-income families,” Meals on Wheels America said in a statement to providers.

The budget draft outlines sweeping restructuring under a new agency, the Administration for a Healthy America, which would absorb or eliminate several programs addressing chronic diseases, rural hospital support, vaccine access, environmental health, and scientific research.

Meals on Wheels is urging constituents to contact their congressional representatives and demand protection for senior services in any final budget agreement.

“Cuts like these would widen the gap between those we can and cannot serve,” the organization said.

The proposal is still in draft form and will undergo negotiations between HHS and the Office of Management and Budget before being sent to Congress, the Post reported.