Budget Reconciliation Law Is a Bad Deal for All of Us as We Age

Practice

The budget reconciliation act passed by congressional Republicans on July 3 and signed into law by President Trump on July 4 will harm all of us as we age, says an NASW report.

Eighty percent of households that include an adult 60 years or older—in other words, 47 million households—are financially struggling today or are at risk of falling into economic insecurity as they age. The Republican budget law will exacerbate this economic insecurity and harm health in later life. The document (bit.ly/NASW-budget-rec-law-aging-aug25), written by NASW Senior Practice Associate Chris Herman, MSW, LICSW, provides a brief overview of the federal budgeting process and outlines how the law decreases older adults’ access to Medicaid, the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, long-term services and supports (LTSS), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—disproportionately affecting immigrants and refugees—while weakening Social Security and other public programs.