How Medicaid Changes Will Impact Those we Serve
In a 2026 resource published by the Population Reference Bureau, research shows that Medicaid cuts will impact older adults and their caregivers.
Medicaid cuts enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, Pub. L. 119-21)—many of which are being phased in over time—could affect about 1 million older adults enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid who need help with basic activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
These dual-eligible older adults are old enough to qualify for Medicare but have incomes and assets low enough to also qualify for Medicaid. Medicare pays for medical care but provides minimal long-term care benefits. Medicaid helps fill this gap, covering the daily assistance many older adults need to remain safely in their homes.
Research funded by the National Institute on Aging highlights what is at stake. Together, the findings suggest that reducing Medicaid-funded home care could shift care responsibilities onto families and increase nursing home entry, increasing costs and intensifying strain on family caregivers.
Meanwhile, new work requirements, limits to immigrant eligibility, more frequent assessments, and rules for medical frailty exemptions further complicate access to this benefit which helps older adults age in their community of choice. Stay tuned for more resources for providers to help those they serve be prepared