Contact
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

Oct. 1, 2025, Arlington, VA—The following is a statement from Ramsey Alwin, President and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), on the federal government shutdown. 

“Shutting down the federal government because Congress cannot agree on funding can cause significant disruptions for the programs and services that American families, including older adults, have paid for and rely on every day. 

“While the shutdown does not affect the delivery of Social Security payments and Medicare benefits, the government agencies that run these programs will face staff furloughs that will affect customer service and operations. 

“Programs funded by the Older Americans Act, such as home-delivered and congregate meals, senior center programs, and family caregiver support, will be forced to cut back on services if the shutdown continues for a long period of time. 

“One aspect of health care that will be affected is telehealth services, which started being covered by insurance during the pandemic. These services are extremely important for older adults who live in rural areas or are homebound. They allow for crucial access to health services that are difficult to access otherwise by a vulnerable population. 

Members of Congress must come together in a bipartisan manner to fully fund the U.S. government, so that the programs and services that older Americans and their families rely on can continue uninterrupted.” 

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more by following us at @NCOAging.