ARLINGTON, Va., September 8, 2025 – Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Executive Director Bob Blancato today issued the following statement in response to the House of Representative’s markup of the Labor-HHS appropriations bill:
The fiscal year 2026 bill marked up by the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee last week provides flat funding of $1.059 billion for the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program. This falls short of our request for an increase to $1.605 billion to address increased demand and rising costs.
In practice, flat funding results in a double digit cut to senior nutrition programs and the older Americans they serve as it fails to account for the rising costs of food, transportation and labor — compounded by the rapidly growing senior population and increased need for services. This steady increase in demand is expected to worsen due to recent historic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, which will push even more older adults into food insecurity and loneliness. With each dollar stretching less far, senior nutrition providers will be forced to provide fewer meals, moments of social connection, safety and wellness checks, and referrals to supportive services to fewer vulnerable seniors, resulting in longer waits for the many already on waitlists. Providers are being asked to do more with less, and vulnerable seniors are paying the price.
During a visit to Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland in June, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. shared his personal commitment and that of the administration to meeting the needs of older adults and ensuring that no senior goes hungry or unheard: “History will judge the humanity of our civilization by how we care for our elderly. Meals on Wheels does not just provide nutrition for the malnourished; it combats the epidemic of loneliness through daily acts of care and compassion. President Trump has asked us at HHS to continue supporting Meals on Wheels so that no American in their twilight years feels forgotten.” But struggling seniors are waiting to see action to make good on this commitment. The president’s budget request and now the Labor-HHS bills in both the House and Senate contradict that commitment and leave vulnerable older Americans behind yet again.
Congress and the administration must treat older adults as a priority, not a talking point. Two years of flat funding — following the first cut in more than a decade in 2024 — seriously undermines the programs that allow older adults in need to age with dignity, safety and connection at home, where they want to be. We urge lawmakers to reconsider this inadequate funding level and end the wait for the millions of seniors for whom Meals on Wheels is a vital lifeline and who cannot afford to be overlooked again. $1.605 billion for the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program for fiscal year 2026 would take a meaningful step in the right direction and demonstrate a real commitment to prioritizing our nation’s seniors.
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ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. Through funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information or to get involved in advocacy efforts, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Press Contact: press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org
ABOUT NANASP
Founded in 1977, the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) is proud to be a leading organization advocating for policies and programs nourishing older adults. Our 1,000 member programs represent a wide range of essential services providers who support the nutrition, health and life quality of over 4 million older adults. For more information, go to nanasp.org.
Press Contact: lborth@nanasp.org
