Navigating a Complex System: Preparing for What’s Next in Health Care for Older Adults

The federal government plays a major role in providing health care services and supports to older adults. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers Medicare and Medicaid, while the Administration for Community Living (ACL) administers Older Americans Act-funded programs. In addition, there are many other federal agencies that operate programs to support older adults, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With multiple agencies involved in serving older adults, it’s critical that they coordinate, communicate, and share data to ensure services are provided efficiently.

Major policy changes at the federal level, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), the proposed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reorganization and recent staff changes, and the pending reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA), may reshape how services and supports for older adults are financed, organized, and delivered across Medicare, Medicaid, and community-based programs.

To help policymakers and other stakeholders understand the ‘status quo’ of federally funded health care services for older adults as the landscape shifts, West Health Policy Center partnered with Aurrera Health Group to develop Healthcare Service Delivery for Older Adults: A Landscape of Programs and Funding. The issue brief maps the web of programs that serve older adults today, including a description of current programs, who administers them, and how these federal agencies work together to support older adults. A future issue brief will provide an overview of how OBBBA is expected to affect services to older adults and give updates on the status of its implementation.

As the landscape of health care services for older adults evolves, there are risks of disruptions in coverage and services, but also opportunities to build a more integrated, sustainable system to serve the health care needs of older adults. For more information on how we can help your organization navigate federal policy changes, please contact Kristal Vardaman.

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Authors

Mallika Mahalingham [Deputy Director]