STATEMENT ON HHS WORKFORCE CUTS AND ACL RESTRUCTURING
"The announcement of workforce cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services could have serious consequences at this time of unprecedented growth in America’s aging population. The proposed reorganization of the Administration for Community Living to integrate its programs into other agencies requires careful consideration.
'Every older adult relies, in some part, on these services and the government staff who administer them. ACL administers programs that older adults depend on in their daily lives, such as meal delivery, transportation to medical appointments, and chronic disease management. It also coordinates the federal government’s vital support for family caregivers, a lifeline for families nationwide.
'Absorbing this wide range of functions, with far fewer staff, would take planning and time. The societal promise to care for America’s older adults requires a cautious approach."
- Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN
President, The John A Hartford Foundation
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Contact: To speak with Dr. Fulmer, contact Marcus Escobedo, 212-832-7788, marcus.escobedo@johnahartford.org
About The John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. For more than three decades, the organization has been the leader in building a field of experts in aging and testing and replicating innovative approaches to care. The foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Working with its grantees, the foundation strives to change the status quo and create a society where older adults can continue their vital contributions. For more information, visit johnahartford.org.