The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP), a vital advocacy service for residents of long-term care facilities, may soon face severe challenges due to proposed federal budget cuts. In April 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a document outlining a $40 billion reduction to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for FY26 as part of President Trump’s budget request. Among the programs at risk is the LTCOP, which plays an essential role in safeguarding the rights, dignity and quality of life of some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens.
The Ombudsman Program operates under federal mandate to investigate complaints, support residents’ autonomy and improve care standards in long-term care settings. In 2023 alone, the statewide program in North Carolina investigated 2,860 complaints, made over 4,300 resident visits, and delivered more than 6,100 consultations. In the greater Charlotte region during FY24, the program completed 679 facility visits, addressed 323 complaints—212 of which were resolved—and provided nearly 1,000 technical consultations and over 100 training sessions.
The personal impact of this work is deeply felt. One family member shared, “Because of you, [my mother] was able to return from the hospital to her home at her facility and die peacefully in familiar surroundings.” A facility administrator added, “The Ombudsman Program is very, very impactful… Their involvement, though sometimes tough, is always meaningful and beneficial.”
Cuts to LTCOP funding would threaten the continuity of these critical services, limiting the ability of residents and families to address mistreatment, neglect or systemic care failures. As policymakers debate the future of federal health and human services funding, the voice and protection offered by Ombudsman staff remain more important than ever.
To learn more about Centralina’s Ombudsman Program, contact Program Manager Hillary Kaylor.
