Week In Review

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6/27/2025

We have started to revamp our advocacy campaigns to encourage calls rather than blanket email messages. Why, you ask? Calls are tracked and elected officials and their senior staff get a daily report of the most called about topics in each of their offices (district and DC), including the number of people calling and what they are saying, which can be sorted by zip code. Although it may not feel like it sometimes, elected officials care about what their constituents have to say and the more of us call about specific topics related to the care of older adults, the more powerful we are.

Our Health in Aging Advocacy Center campaigns now walk you through making calls – from finding your members of Congress to the phone numbers you should call to sample talking points. For all issues, we encourage you to personalize and/or tell an impactful story related to the issue if possible.

Let’s get started!

Proposed Elimination of the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and Geriatrics Academic Career Award (GACA) Program

As we reported in Issue 19 of our Last Week in Washington e-newsletter, the President has proposed to eliminate funding for the GWEP and GACA Program. However, it is important to remember that Congress has final authority on annual appropriations, which must be approved by 60 senators and thus negotiated with the minority party in each chamber. AGS continues its advocacy and encourages you to do the same. Click here to make your call today! (Or click the header above).

Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP

As previously shared, the House of Representatives passed its budget reconciliation legislation, HR 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which includes substantial cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $793 billion and $295 billion, respectively. The Senate recently released its version of the reconciliation bill text and proposed steeper Medicaid cuts. As Congress works to finalize the bill before the July 4th recess, we need you to call your elected officials and urge them to oppose these cuts. Click here to make your call today!

Increase Funding for Aging Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA)

The President has proposed funding cuts of more than $20 billion at the NIH and nearly $2 billion at NIA, and if approved by Congress, would significantly impact the Institutes’ efficacy, putting at risk decades of progress in biomedical research. The proposal also includes the effects of implementing a 15% cap on indirect costs for all research grants. As noted above, Congress has final authority on appropriations, so we strongly urge you to continue your advocacy. Click here to make your call today!

Stay tuned for more “Call Alert” campaigns in the coming weeks on Medicare payment, research at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and more.