National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is extremely troubled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcement that it would be cutting thousands of jobs and restructuring critical agencies. Such actions are likely to result in reduced access to and oversight of services, impacting the health and safety of millions of older and disabled adults.
Consumer Voice is particularly concerned that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) would be eliminated and absorbed by other HHS agencies. ACL provides and oversees critical programs for older adults and people with disabilities. ACL helps ensure that these individuals can receive support services in a setting of their choice, often helping them avoid institutionalization. ACL provides nutrition assistance, helps support caregivers, and helps protect vulnerable elders from abuse and neglect. It is essential to ensure the health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities.
Additionally, proposed cuts affecting Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other critical agencies, as well as reduction in Regional Offices, combined with previous announcements of reductions in government staff and services, are threatening essential programs and placing some of our most vulnerable citizens at risk of institutionalization, homelessness, poor health, neglect, and abuse.
