THE EMERGENCY IS HERE!
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:
150,000 older Missourians rely on support from Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Federal funding from the Older Americans Act provides supports services such as home-delivered meals, senior centers, caregiver support, and transportation. 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.
THE SOLUTION:
The Missouri Legislature must pass the Governor’s FY 2025 Supplemental Budget authorizing spending to prevent disruptions or elimination of services for older Missourians.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW:
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.
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.
- Please stay alert for updates and sign up for ma4 news and action alerts under “Get Updates”.
Sample Messaging
Dear
Please support older Missourians who are at risk of losing vital services provided by Area Agencies on Aging. An Early Supplemental Budget must be passed by March 30, 2025 – authorizing the expenditure of funds. No new funds are requested – simply the authorization to spend existing federal OAA funds already allocated to the AAAs. Without action, AAAs may not be able to continue services such as home-delivered meals, transportation, in-home services, caregiver support, and much more. Older Missourians are counting on you! Thank you!
Sincerely,