Meals on Wheels America Issues Statement on the Updated Administration FY2026 Budget Proposals
ARLINGTON, Va., June 3, 2025 – Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander today issued this statement in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) newly released FY2026 Budget in Brief and updated budget proposals from other federal agencies:
We are encouraged that the FY2026 Budget in Brief released by HHS does not propose reductions in funding for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program. While funding remains level at $1.059 billion year-over-year, we are advocating for at least $1.6046 billion in FY2026 to address the existing significant shortfall that has led to growing waitlists for Meals on Wheels providers across the country. As of now, 1 in 3 Meals on Wheels providers has a waitlist, with an average wait time of nearly four months and some even extending to two years. Without additional resources, many providers may be forced to cut services, extend waitlists or turn people away entirely. Meals on Wheels America is calling on Congress and the administration to support a meaningful increase in funding so that local providers can reach more older adults in need of nutritious meals and vital moments of social connection.
Participating older Americans consistently report that OAA senior nutrition programs help them feel more secure and eat healthier foods, as well as prevent falls or reduce fear of falling and allow them to remain in their own homes independently. OAA senior nutrition programs also reduce emergency room visits, hospital admissions and readmissions and delay or eliminate the need for long-term care placements. In fact, Meals on Wheels programs can provide a senior with nutritious meals, social connection and safety checks for a full year at roughly the same cost as ten days in a long-term care facility or one day in a hospital.
We also appreciate that HHS leadership listened to the concerns expressed by Aging Network groups and plans to keep OAA programs together under the newly proposed Administration for Children, Families, and Communities, recognizing how essential these coordinated programs are to the health and well-being of older adults.
Of concern, however, the updated budget proposes eliminating some important funding sources for Meals on Wheels providers and programs that serve older Americans, including the Community Services and Community Development Block Grants, among other programs.
As the 60th anniversary of the OAA approaches this July, we hope to educate leaders on the life-changing impact these programs have for millions of older adults every day and the significant return on investment for taxpayers through the prevention of costly use of health care and long-term care services. These seniors are not just statistics – they are our parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends. We are committed to working with the administration and Congress to advance policies that expand our reach and ensure that no senior in America is left hungry or alone.
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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
