July 9, 2025
The Village Movement, Aging, and the “Big Beautiful Bill”: What’s Next for Older Adults
As the aging population in the United States continues to grow, the Village Movement is facing new challenges and opportunities. Recent legislative developments, especially the controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, are set to reshape the landscape for aging services. With major conferences on the horizon, Village leaders and advocates are coming together to respond, collaborate, and chart a path forward.
Understanding the “Big Beautiful Bill” and Its Impact on Older Adults
Passed by a narrow margin in Congress earlier this year, the “Big Beautiful Bill” has sparked intense debate across the aging services sector. The bill includes deep federal spending cuts, most notably:
- $800 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next 10 years
- $500 billion in Medicare reductions
- Implementation of Medicaid work requirements for non-disabled adults up to age 64
- Changes that could drastically raise ACA (Affordable Care Act) premiums for older adults—by as much as $10,000 annually in some states
- Potential rollbacks to SNAP (food stamp) access and reduced coverage for low-income seniors
While the Senate added modest offsets—like increased tax deductions for seniors and expanded Low-Income Housing Tax Credits—the bill’s overall impact remains deeply concerning for aging advocates. Organizations such as the National Council on Aging, Justice in Aging, and LeadingAge have warned that the bill could destabilize the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who rely on Medicaid for home and community-based services (HCBS), prescription drugs, and long-term care.
Why This Matters to the Village Movement
At its core, the Village Movement is about empowering older adults to live independently, remain socially connected, and receive community-based support. Villages coordinate services like transportation, grocery runs, social activities, light home repairs, and health advocacy.
These services often work in tandem with federal and state programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. If these resources are scaled back, Villages may face growing pressure to meet rising needs with fewer supports. Work requirements could also affect older adults still engaged in caregiving or part-time employment, especially in under-resourced communities.
In short, the Village model will be deeply affected by the outcomes of this legislation—making advocacy and innovation more crucial than ever.
Shaping the Future Together
The passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” underscores how public policy can profoundly affect the ability of older adults to live with independence and dignity. For Villages, these challenges also present an opportunity: to unite, adapt, and advocate more powerfully than ever before.
With new pressures on Medicaid and long-term care systems, Villages must not only sustain their grassroots strength but also amplify their role in broader aging and healthcare conversations.
Policy article by The Village to Village Network.
