Home Care Service Providers Concerned by Stalled FY25 Supplemental Funds
Provider Payments at Risk as Funding Vehicle Idles
Mass Aging Access (MAA), the statewide membership organization supporting older adults and the 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) across the Commonwealth, shares deep concern as critical funding for home care services remains stalled in the legislature awaiting final approval and passage.
First proposed by Governor Healey in a supplemental budget filed in early April, this $60 million allocation would alleviate the considerable fiscal challenges being confronted by ASAPs across the state due to substantial deficits in key home care accounts and ensure that the ASAPs are provided with the funding necessary to purchase home and community-based services. These programs enable older adults and people with disabilities to age with dignity and independence throughout the Commonwealth’s communities. As the ASAP network awaits further legislative action, a $60 million deficit for the final month of FY25 puts ongoing home care services at risk and creates severe cash flow issues going into FY26. Without additional funding, essential daily services for older adults like home-delivered meals, homemaking, personal care, and behavioral health supports may be jeopardized.
“We are grateful for the months of conversations with our partners in the Executive Office of Aging and Independence and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services that pushed this funding out of the Governor’s office,” said Betsey Crimmins, Executive Director of Mass Aging Access. “However, our network remains extremely concerned by the compounding challenges caused by the current budget deficit. Our member agencies must continue to provide the critical services individuals need each and every day, while also making payments to our home care agency partners who employ the direct care workers – but this is not sustainable without additional cash flow. We urge immediate passage of this funding to ensure that ASAPs can continue to provide services and pay their providers without interruption.”
“We feel strongly that this is not the time to be jeopardizing critical services to our most vulnerable older adults. While the legislature has passed components of the bill deemed most urgent, we remain concerned that this home care funding has not been included in those actions,” said Lisa Gurgone, Executive Director of Mystic Valley Elder Services. “Amid challenging changes to the ECOP program that have already forced a reduction of services to consumers in need, passage of this funding would mark a strong statement of support to older adults across the state and ensure ASAPs can continue to provide services without gaps in care.”
Mass Aging Access calls for urgent passage of the $60 million in supplemental funding to the home care purchase of services line-item that would reduce unnecessary strain and challenges for essential home care providers across the state. These services are proven to be a fraction of the cost for nursing home stays that maintain the dignity, independence, and safety of Massachusetts’ older adults. This funding is key to the continued stability, consistency, and reliability of these key providers and services
About Mass Aging Access
Mass Aging Access (MAA), formerly known as Mass Home Care, is a statewide advocacy organization representing the 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and the individuals and families they serve. The ASAPs provide critical services to older adults across the Commonwealth, ensuring they can live independently and with dignity in their communities. For more information, or to see a list of member organizations, please visit https://agingaccess.org.