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.

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View the 2025 ma4 Missouri Legislative Tracking Report

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ma4 ACTION ALERTS:

PROTECT FEDERAL OLDER AMERICANS ACT PROGRAMS

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!

Please urge your Senators and US Congressman to protect older adults last action Congress took on their appropriations bills was last summer, when the House bill proposed major cuts to critical OAA programs and modest increases to others, while the Senate bill rejected any cuts and proposed level funding for virtually all OAA programs.

Take Action Now: To prevent any funding cuts to OAA programs, please contact your lawmakers in both chambers.

Sample Messaging:
Dear ____,
Please protect all Older Americans Act (OAA) programs and services – and oppose dangerous cuts to critical aging programs (like OAA Title III Nutrition and the Medicare Improvements Patient and Providers Act (MIPPA). We must protect older adults who rely on the Aging Network ! Thank you for being a champion for older Americans!
Sincerely,

PREVIOUS ACTION ALERTS

Action Alert: We Did It!!

3/12/25: 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.

While federal funds are available, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services will exhaust its spending authority for these funds by March 2025. Without immediate legislative action, these vital services face disruption, potentially forcing seniors into costly institutional care, a far less desirable and significantly more expensive alternative to aging in place.

Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) projects it will exhaust its spending authority for Older Americans Act (OAA) funds by March 2025. Federal funds have already been awarded and are available now. A Supplemental Budget often occurs in April, leaving insufficient time to prevent service disruptions. This year the Supplemental Budget must be passed early! For the months of March, April, May, and June, 2025, 150,000 older adults risk the loss of services.

BACKGROUND:

Federal funding from the Older Americans Act provides vital support such as home-delivered meals, and transportation to over 150,000 older Missourians. While federal funds are available, Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will exhaust its spending authority for these funds by March 2025. Without immediate legislative action, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) will be forced to drastically reduce or eliminate services such as home-delivered meals, transportation, in-home services, caregiver support, and other vital support for older adults, beginning in March, 2025.

THE SOLUTION:

The Missouri Legislature must pass an Early Supplemental Budget authorizing spending to be granted to DHSS immediately to prevent disruptions or elimination of services in March, April, May, and June 2025.

URGENT ACTION NEEDED:

This situation requires urgent action. Governor Kehoe has included the necessary spending authority in his FY25 Supplemental Budget. It is now imperative that Missouri legislators act swiftly and decisively to pass this budget before their spring break. This is not a request for new funding, but simply the authorization to spend existing federal dollars already allocated.

Delay will have devastating consequences. The loss of AAA services means seniors could go without nutritious meals, essential transportation, and the in-home support that allows them to remain independent. This is not just a matter of fiscal responsibility; it’s a matter of basic human dignity and respect for our aging population.

How You Can Help:

Contact Members of the House Budget Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee to swiftly pass Governor Kehoe’s Supplemental Budget.
Contact your local State Representative and Senator to alert them of the situation (sample messaging below).
Authorization requires passage in the House and Senate, and all legislators need to be aware of the urgency of passing this by March 31.
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More Information on Budget Emergency – Printable

Sample Messaging:
Dear ____,
Please support older Missourians who are at risk of losing vital services provided by Area Agencies on Aging. The FY 2025 Supplemental Budget must be passed by March 31, 2025 – authorizing the expenditure of Older Americans Act funds for AAAs. No new funds are requested – simply the authorization to spend existing federal OAA funds already allocated to the AAAs. Without this urgent action, Missouri’s most vulnerable older adults risk the loss of AAA services such as home-delivered meals, transportation, senior centers services, caregiver support, and much more. Older Missourians are counting on you! Thank you!
Sincerely,