Diverse Elders Coalition

11/10/2026

Newly empowered congressional Democrats are aiming to fulfill their pledges to quickly attempt to generous Affordable Care Act and Republicans’ when Congress convenes next year,

Democrats spent two years hammering on the economy, pledging to lower daily costs — such as health care and gas prices — for Americans. Top Democrats previously have said undoing changes to Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans, and restoring the expired marketplace subsidies are top priorities for the party.

The incoming congressional majority will work to restore federal Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funding early next year, officials say.

11/09/2026

November is National , a time to recognize the millions of people who provide essential care to family members and loved ones every day.

On November 17, the Diverse Elders Coalition, its member organizations, and The John A. Hartford Foundation will convene on Capitol Hill for Caregiving in 2026 and Beyond: Policy Solutions to Ensure Equitable Aging.

The congressional briefing will explore the challenges facing diverse caregivers and older adults, the impact of changes to critical supports, and policy solutions that can help caregivers and families thrive in 2027 and beyond.

📅 November 17, 2026, 10:30am ET
📍 Capitol Hill, Washington, DC | Room Cannon 130

🔗 https://bit.ly/DEC_CB_RSVP

11/07/2026

Following recent elections, hold control of both the House and Senate, bringing numerous working mothers into office as the new prepares to convene in .

Lawmakers face pressing decisions regarding healthcare, as average monthly ACA premium payments have risen following the expiration of extra government help. Child care costs remain a central concern for voters, with proposals like the Child Care Modernization Act requiring new legislative champions to move forward. Furthermore, while the FAMILY Act would provide broader coverage, nearly three-quarters of U.S. workers currently lack employer-provided paid family leave.

Finally, upcoming work and potential changes to free women's preventive services under the ACA present additional challenges for families.

How could the 2026 midterm elections change child care, paid leave, Medicaid and health insurance? What the new Congress could mean for mothers and caregivers.

11/05/2026

As the U.S. population age 65 and older grew from 2008 to 2025, so did the number of older adults with a .

But while the number of older with a disability climbed 38.0% to 21.7 million, the overall share actually dipped 7.0 percentage points, from 40.5% to 33.5% during the same period, according to newly released 2025 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates.

The decline was particularly pronounced among women and adults with less than a high school education.

New data show that disability rates among older adults declined in 2025, particularly among women and adults with less than a high school education.

11/03/2026

With the elections today, 77% of likely age 50 and older in 43 competitive U.S. House districts say they would be more likely to back a candidate who would provide a tax for unpaid family , according to a new AARP poll. Half of those older voters said they are or have been family caregivers themselves.

An AARP poll finds broad support for caregiver tax credits among older voters in 43 competitive House districts, as families face thousands of dollars in annual unreimbursed care costs.

11/03/2026

Barbara Weigand could not have prepared more for retirement. She stayed healthy and saved diligently for years.

“On my monthly income, I would not be able to afford my new medical expenses,” says Weigand, 83, who lives in North Canton, Ohio. She is currently on a Medicare Advantage plan and was searching for new coverage as Medicare’s open enrollment period began in October.

For older adults in the United States, the rising of is hitting where it hurts most — their pocketbooks. With costs, prescription drug prices and long-term care expenses weighing on household budgets, their concerns could carry significant political weight heading into Tuesday’s .

Rising healthcare costs are a major concern for older Americans, and it's affecting their finances and political priorities.

10/31/2026

As have ticked up in recent years, the cost to has . A study, released by AARP, finds that family caregivers, people helping out disabled, chronically ill or older adults — now spend an average $11,508 out of pocket each year.

That's roughly 60% more than just five years ago, and adds up to 31% of a caregiver's , on average.

A new study from AARP shows caregivers' out-of-pocket costs rose about 60% in the last five years.

10/30/2026

A Pew Research Center report titled “Women, Work and Caregiving Through the Arc of Family Life” reveals that the systemic weight of prevents from reaching executive roles. Between ages 25 and 34, women's earnings dropped from 90% of men's in 2015 to 85% by 2025.

Furthermore, 52% of full-time working mothers report that parenting makes advancement harder, compared to 38% of fathers. Although spouses earn about the same in 29% of marriages, women still shoulder a disproportionate share of household caregiving.

Consequently, 67% of working feel unable to give 100% at home, and 56% feel unable to do so at . Additionally, women are more likely to serve as primary caregivers for aging parents, with 40% reporting emotional .

Pew Research shows caregiving stalls women’s leadership. To protect talent, firms must fix wage gaps, equalize family care support, and offer lifelong flexibility.

10/29/2026

As we reflect on , our latest blog spotlights the National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) and the power of community, storytelling, and intergenerational leadership.

Inspired by NHCOA’s annual awards ceremony, the blog highlights the voices and experiences of Latino older adults and the importance of carrying their leadership forward throughout the year.

Read more: https://bit.ly/HispanicHeritageMonth2026

10/28/2026

DEC mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta, whose lifetime of advocacy transformed communities and inspired generations. Her legacy reminds us that leadership has no age limit, and that lasting change is built through collective action.

Dolores Huerta was a labor activist and civil rights leader who co-founded the group that later became the United Farm Workers.