DAS executive director warns federal and state budget proposals could cut Medicaid and threaten services; Dignity Fund funding uncertain

Kelly Dearman, executive director of the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services, told commissioners on March 5 that federal and state budget actions could significantly affect services for older adults and people with disabilities.

“The budget resolution has passed [that] instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find at least $880,000,000,000 in cuts over the next 10 years,” Dearman said, adding that the House Agriculture Committee was asked to identify roughly $230,000,000,000 in savings in the same window. She told the commission those committee jurisdictions mean the committees likely will consider reductions that could include Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

Dearman said the department is also awaiting the Older Americans Act reauthorization; although there is no immediate expiration of programs if Congress uses a continuing resolution, she said the uncertainty complicates planning. At the state level, she said Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025–26 budget projects a small positive balance but that fires, federal trade and immigration policy, and potential federal cuts could erode revenues.

On local preparations, Dearman said DAS submitted its proposed budget to the mayor’s office; the proposal includes $1,500,000 of proposed…