Washington, D.C. – Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, alongside a bipartisan group of colleagues, has voiced strong opposition to a proposed restructuring within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that could fundamentally alter the support system for older adults and individuals with disabilities. In a pointed letter sent to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 28, 2025, the senators urged the department to halt plans to dismantle the Administration for Community Living (ACL).
The proposal, initially detailed in an HHS fact sheet released on March 27, 2025, outlines a strategy to integrate many of ACL’s critical programs and functions into other existing HHS agencies. Under this plan, services and initiatives currently administered by the ACL would be disbursed across the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Concerns Over Impact and Mandate Violations
The senators’ letter forcefully argues that this proposed action is in direct conflict with the mandates and intent of the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill, which they contend supports the continued operation and mission of the ACL as a distinct entity. Beyond legislative conflicts, the senators raise significant concerns about the potential human cost of the reorganization. They assert that the proposal reportedly includes the planned dismissal of over half of ACL’s dedicated workforce, a move they argue would cause “tangible harm” to the very populations the agency is designed to serve: older adults and people with disabilities.
The core of the senators’ objection lies in their belief that the ACL is indispensable for enabling these populations to live in their communities with the dignity, independence, and autonomy they deserve. They highlight the ACL’s crucial role in coordinating services across federal, state, and local government levels, ensuring that vital support reaches those who need it most.
Disputed Efficiency Claims
HHS has reportedly framed the proposed integration as a measure to improve efficiency and streamline operations. However, the senators emphatically reject this assertion. They state in their letter that shuttering ACL in this manner would, in fact, achieve the opposite effect, predicting significant disruption to the delivery of bipartisan-supported programs.
These programs, which the senators fear are at risk, include essential services such as home-delivered and congregate meals that provide critical nutrition and social connection; comprehensive Medicare enrollment assistance that helps beneficiaries navigate complex healthcare systems; peer supports that offer invaluable lived experience and guidance; community living activities that foster inclusion and engagement; and vital support for family caregivers who provide unpaid care, often at significant personal sacrifice.
Broader Service Disruption
The ripple effects of dismantling the ACL, according to the senators, would extend to other crucial areas. They raise particular alarm regarding the potential negative impact on adult protective services, which safeguard vulnerable individuals from abuse and neglect, and long-term care ombudsman programs, which advocate for the rights and welfare of residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Furthermore, they express significant concern about the ability of federal funding to effectively reach community-based organizations, which are often the front lines of service delivery and rely on ACL’s structure to distribute resources efficiently.
The senators’ letter underscores the unique mandate of the ACL, created specifically to serve as the primary point of contact within HHS for issues affecting older Americans, people with disabilities, and their families. They argue that diluting its functions across multiple agencies will inevitably lead to fragmented services, reduced coordination, and a loss of the dedicated expertise currently concentrated within the ACL.
A Call to Maintain Dedicated Support
By consolidating efforts and expertise, the ACL has been able to champion policies and programs that promote independence, inclusion, and community integration. Critics of the proposed move fear that distributing these functions will dilute their focus and diminish their impact, making it harder to address the distinct and complex needs of these populations effectively. The senators’ correspondence with Secretary Kennedy Jr. represents a unified call from lawmakers across the political spectrum to reconsider the plan and preserve the Administration for Community Living as a standalone entity dedicated to its vital mission.
The outcome of this high-stakes debate within HHS could have profound implications for millions of Americans who rely on ACL-funded services to maintain their health, well-being, and ability to live independently within their communities. The letter from Senator Gillibrand and her colleagues signals a determined effort in Congress to prevent the proposed restructuring and safeguard the future of these critical support systems.
