The Big Beautiful Bill and Ocean County Senior Services

Key Takeaways

• The "Big Beautiful Bill" was going to lead to significant cuts to senior services

• Ocean County Senior Services, led by director Maria LaFace and board member Kim Fiero, helped lead a succesful grassroots campaign to stop some of the cuts

• Despite the victory, many programs seniors rely on could still be at risk

Introduction

Picture this: You're 89 years old, living alone in Ocean County, New Jersey. Every day at noon, a friendly face delivers your only hot meal — and sometimes, it's the only person you'll see all day. Now imagine that lifeline suddenly disappearing because of budget cuts you never saw coming.

That nightmare scenario almost became reality just weeks ago when massive federal budget proposals threatened to eliminate or drastically reduce programs that millions of seniors depend on daily. The proposed cuts would have zeroed out Adult Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs, and Medicare counseling services — programs that quite literally keep vulnerable seniors safe, fed, and in their homes.

But something remarkable happened. Through grassroots advocacy and the power of collective senior voices, everything changed. Maria LaFace, Director of Ocean County Senior Services, puts it simply: "Everything changed in a couple of weeks."

Here's how a coordinated advocacy effort saved critical senior services from devastating cuts, and what challenges still lie ahead for America's aging population.

The Crisis That Almost Was: Understanding the Big Beautiful Bill's First Draft

The foundation of senior services in America rests on legislation that dates back to 1965. Maria notes, "The Department of Senior Services and all departments throughout the state, were funded under the Older Americans Act"

This act recognized something revolutionary for its time, that aging Americans would need supportive services to remain independent in their communities rather than being institutionalized. For nearly six decades, it's been the backbone of programs like Meals on Wheels, SHIP, and adult protective services.

But earlier this year, federal budget proposals threatened to completely restructure this system. The plan would have divided the Older Americans Act between two separate agencies, eliminating the Administration for Community Living entirely.

What the Proposed Changes Really Meant

Kim Fiero, an estate planning attorney and board member of Ocean County Senior Services, explained the practical implications: "I make referrals to the long-term care ombudsman all the time and Adult Protective Services to protect our seniors. The thought that those programs would not be there was terrifying because we really, really rely on their resources to help people."

The proposed cuts weren't just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represented real programs that seniors interact with daily:

• Medicare Counseling (SHIP): Free, unbiased Medicare guidance for confused seniors

• Adult Protective Services: Investigation of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Oversight of nursing home care and resident rights

• Meals on Wheels: Daily nutrition and safety checks for homebound seniors

  
  

The Power of Advocacy: How Seniors Fought Back

Facing these devastating cuts, Ocean County Senior Services didn't just accept defeat. They launched what Maria calls an advocacy campaign with a simple, powerful message: "keep the act intact."

The strategy was deliberately straightforward because, as Maria explains, "in order to get people on board, we, we wanted to keep it simple."

Mobilizing Ocean County's Senior Population

Ocean County has significant political power when it comes to senior issues. With 93 age-restricted communities and approximately 200,000 people over 60, they had the numbers to make an impact. But numbers alone don't create change, organization does.

"We got out there and I did presentations. We told everybody and anybody that would listen. And we ended up with thousands and thousands and thousands of letters signed by seniors that we were able to mail in, fax in, drop off by the thousands to our legislators."

The approach worked because it put human faces on policy numbers. Kim notes: "They had in-person testimonials of what these programs mean to seniors. And when you put that human touch on it and hear from somebody how the loss of these programs would affect their lives dramatically, you can't ignore that."

Victory and Lessons Learned

The advocacy effort succeeded beyond expectations. The supplemental budget preserved the Older Americans Act funding and created a new department structure that keeps senior programs together rather than splitting them apart.

"All of those cuts that we talked about, adult protective services, long-term care ombudsman, SHIP...everything's going to be funded to the same extent that it was funded last year."

Perhaps more importantly, the experience taught valuable lessons about senior political power. As Maria puts it: "Now we're dangerous, because now we know how to do it."

Challenges That Remain: The Fight Isn't Over

While this battle was won, significant challenges remain on the horizon. Several programs still face uncertainty or cuts:

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

This utility assistance program remains "zeroed out" even in the improved budget. For seniors living on fixed incomes in Ocean County's standalone homes, utility bills can reach $400-500 monthly. LIHEAP helps fund programs that help pay for these rising utility bills.

Medicaid Recertification Changes

New requirements could force Medicaid recipients to recertify twice yearly instead of annually. Kim, who handles these applications professionally, explains the burden: "As an attorney who does the applications for clients, it's thousands and thousands of pages of documents. A laundry list of things they ask."

It could be hard for vulnerable individuals to continue to provide this massive list of documentation to get recertified.

The Prescription Drug Crisis

Ocean County Senior Services has been advocating for the PAAD (Prescription Assistance for the Disabled) program, but major pharmaceutical companies are abandoning it. Maria explains the frustration: "It was very frustrating 'cause it took some serious advocacy statewide to get those PAAD eligibility Guidelines changed. [After the eligiblity changed] more pharmaceutical companies pulled out."

The Bigger Picture: America's Aging Demographics

These budget battles are happening against the backdrop of dramatic demographic change. As Kim points out: "We have 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day. By 2031 in six people will be over the age of 60."

This demographic shift creates a fundamental challenge. Maria explains: "Even looking for additional funding... not getting a cost of living increase is a funding cut. Because my home delivered meal that cost me $8 just three years ago is now $15 because of everything that's increased."

Getting the same amount of funding given the rate of inflation and cost of living increases can strain agencies like Ocean County Senior Services.

Ocean County's Comprehensive Approach to Senior Services

Despite budget challenges, Ocean County has developed an innovative model for senior service delivery. Their approach focuses on bringing services directly to where seniors live rather than requiring them to navigate complex systems.

The Mobile Office Solution

Using COVID relief funds, they purchased a fully functioning mobile office that can travel to Ocean County's 93 adult communities. Maria explains, "We can do your Medicare counseling, your property tax relief, help you with Lifeline, and help you access Meals on Wheels." They have succesffully brought the unit the communities throughout the state.

Maria sais this approach recognizes a key reality: "Everybody's moving towards efficiency. Efficiency often requires technology, which often leaves a number of seniors out, and so they know now that they can come to us and we will assist them with any of those applications."

Conclusion

The near-crisis with the Older Americans Act budget cuts serves as both a warning and an inspiration. It shows how quickly essential services can be threatened, but also demonstrates the power of organized advocacy to protect them.

As Maria LaFace discovered, "We got loud...we went out there and we said, seniors, come on. It's time to get loud, to protect dollars that help you keep your independence in your homes and your communities, and they did it."

The fight to protect senior services isn't over — it's just beginning. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 daily, the need for these programs will only grow. The question is whether we'll learn from Ocean County's example and build the advocacy infrastructure needed to protect them.

Ken Connolly is a licensed life and health insurance broker and host of the "Talking Retirement" podcast.

Maria LaFace is the director of Ocean County Senior Services.

Kim Fiero is an estate lawyer and board member for Ocean County Senior Services.

To learn more about Medicare, life insurance options and other supplemental health insurance options, talk to NJ Life and Health. Visit us at www.njlifeandhealth.com or call their Toms River, NJ office at 848-226-6897.