Action Alerts - Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging

We advocate at all levels of government on behalf of and alongside adults in Missouri who are aging and adults with disabilities. Learn more about the issues we’re tracking and sign up to receive email updates on these important bills.

View the 2025 ma4 Missouri Legislative Tracking Report

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CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS:

Find your Missouri House representative: https://www.house.mo.gov/Session.aspx

Find your Missouri Senator: https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx

U.S. Elected Officials:

Find your US Representative Here

Or call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard 24/7 at 1.202.224.3121

Contact Senator Hawley Here — or call 1.202.224.6154

Contact Senator Schmitt Here — or call 1.202.224.5721

ma4 ACTION ALERTS:

4/17/25: Cuts to Medicaid and SNAP Pose Grave Risks to Older Missourians

The Federal Budget Reconciliation process is rapidly advancing. NOW is the time to let Congress know how cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would impact the lives of real Missourians including older adults. In Missouri, Medicaid is the largest payor of home and community based services and is the primary source of coverage for nursing home care for around 65% of residents in Missouri. (AARP Fact Sheet in Medicaid’s Role for Older Missourians) (Missouri Foundation for Health – Missouri Medicaid Basics 2025). Cuts to Medicaid would shift healthcare costs to the state; the impact to Missouri’s budget would be profound and would and the Missouri budget is already The Missouri Budget Project shared important data on the impact of Medicaid cuts in Missouri – including that 9% of Missouri seniors are covered by Medicaid. And cuts to SNAP could harm to older adults already experiencing food insecurity. Please reach out to your US Senators and Representative to let them know how detrimental these cuts could be to older adults (Links to contact your U.S. Elected Officials Above).

PREVIOUS ma4 ACTION ALERTS

Medicaid Home Delivered Meal Rate Increase Urgently Needed

4/16/25. Update: The Missouri House passed HB10 with a 12% increased rate! And the Senate Appropriations increased that amount slightly higher. Thank you!!

On to the Full Senate! Reach out to your Senator!

Home-delivered Medicaid meals provide essential nutrition and support to Missouri’s most vulnerable homebound older adults and adults with disabilities. This meal program is a crucial investment in their well-being, preventing costly and often unwanted placement in nursing homes. However, years of underfunding have created a severe crisis. The current Medicaid reimbursement rate ($6.21) fails to cover the actual costs ($9.97/meal). This financial strain is compounded by rising food prices, mandatory wage increases, and the increasing need for meals from Missouri’s growing senior population. The current rate of $6.21/meal was established in FY22 based on an independent rate study; the newly released Mercer Rate Study developed a new rate model between $10.09 to $10.99/meal. Please reach out today to your Senator to support an increased rate for Medicaid meal reimbursement in HB10.

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Sample Messaging: Dear ____, Missouri seniors urgently need an increase in the Medicaid home-delivered meal reimbursement rate to ensure the program’s viability. Please support the proposed increase to the Medicaid home-delivered meal rate in HB10. The current rate is unsustainable and threatens the health and well-being of Missouri’s growing senior population. Thank you! Sincerely,___

Mercer Rate Study

PROTECT FEDERAL OLDER AMERICANS ACT PROGRAMS

3/14/25 Update: We did it thanks to you! Once again, thanks to quick action from you and others across the country, Congress passed the Continuing Resolution (CR) in time to avoid a funding crisis. Thank you once again for making your voices count!

3/10/25: Call Congress TODAY to Protect Critical Older Americans Act Programs By March 14, Congress must either pass a final FY 2025 spending package or another continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown. Time is running out!

Action Alert: We Did It!!

3/12/25: FY 2025 Supplemental Budget supporting spending authority for AAAs

Because of you, today the Missouri Legislature has passed the FY 2025 Supplemental Budget — in record time. Your passionate advocacy made all the difference. You understood the urgency, you spoke up for our seniors, and our legislators listened. This historic speed—the fastest Supplemental passage ever—shows just how powerful your voices are. Because of you, aging Missourians will continue to receive the essential services they need from Area Agencies on Aging. While we know there are more battles to face, today, let’s celebrate this incredible win. Thank you to our tireless advocates! And thank you to the Missouri Legislature and Governor Kehoe for championing the needs of older Missourians! Your quick action on passing the FY 2025 Supplemental Budget protects vital services that older adults rely on from the Area Agencies on Aging. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for standing up for our seniors and making sure their needs are heard. Your Voice Matters! Your Voice was Heard!

URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO PROTECT OLDER MISSOURIANS

2/19/25: A crisis threatens essential services for 150,000 vulnerable older adults in Missouri who rely on Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Federally funded, AAAs provide critical support, including home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver assistance, and in-home care, enabling seniors to age in place – a preference shared by the vast majority of Missourians.