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A Message from o4a CEO Beth Kowalczyk on Potential Federal OAA Changes

Strong Communities Age Well When We Have Access to the Services that Help Us Thrive

May is Older Americans Month—a time to reflect not just on the contributions of people as they age, but on the kind of communities we are building for ourselves, our families, and our future. Aging isn’t something that happens to someone else—it’s a journey we’re all on. That’s why the policies and programs that support aging well at home and in the community matter to all of us.

One of the most impactful frameworks we have for supporting this journey is the Older Americans Act. For nearly 60 years, the Older Americans Act has provided the structure for a trusted network of services that help people live with independence, dignity, and connection as they age—whether through meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support, case management, or health and wellness programs.

But that progress is at risk. President Trump’s draft FY 2026 Department of Health and Human Services budget proposes a dramatic restructuring of the Older Americans Act that would break apart this cohesive system. The budget would split programs between two federal agencies—the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Administration for Children and Families—and would zero out many critical programs that support Ohio's older adults such as evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs and elder rights efforts to prevent elder abuse and neglect, among others. 

This is not just a bureaucratic shuffle. It’s a direct threat to the programs that enable people to remain in their homes and communities, avoid unnecessary institutional care, and stay connected to family and friends. It also undermines a system that was deliberately designed by Congress to work in concert across federal, state, and local levels, and that has proven to be efficient, responsive, and cost-effective.

Ohio’s network of Area Agencies on Aging, like those in communities across the country, delivers these services every day. We see firsthand how the Older Americans Act helps people navigate aging with agency and support—whether they are managing a chronic illness, caring for a loved one, or seeking to stay active and connected.

Weakening or fragmenting the Older Americans Act doesn’t just affect one group—it affects all of us, and the kind of future we can count on.

This Older Americans Month, I urge all of us—residents, advocates, policymakers—to protect the programs that help ensure we can all age on our own terms. Reach out to your members of Congress and tell them: preserving and strengthening the Older Americans Act is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do for all of us, now and in the years to come.

Ohio's AAA's on Capitol Hill 

O4a and Ohio’s Area Agencies on Aging were in DC March 31-April 1 with our AAA colleagues at the USAging Policy Briefing. During our visit, we visited Ohio’s Congressional Delegation, including US Senator Bernie Moreno (pictured above) to advocate for the reauthorization of and sufficient funding for the Older Americans Act, and the sustainability of Medicaid HCBS.

State Budget Passes Out of House, Senate Begins Hearings

The Ohio House of Representatives passed their version of the state budget bill, House Bill 96 on April 9 by a vote of 60-39. The House made significant changes to the Governor's proposed version of the budget before sending the bill to the Senate to begin hearings in standing committees. 

o4a has been keeping a close eye on a number of provisions included in the House-passed version. We are pleased to report the House included an additional $500,000 per fiscal year to support our top priority, the Senior Community Services Program. The funds will go to support crucial non-Medicaid services and programs that allow older Ohioans to say safe and healthy in their homes and connected to their communities. We have begun efforts in the Senate to secure additional support for this important program. 

o4a is also supportive of the proposed increase in the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for residents in long-term care settings. Governor DeWine proposed to increase the PNA, which helps individuals pay for personal and ancillary expenses not covered by Medicaid like toiletries, haircuts, and clothing; and social and recreational activities, from $50 to $100 per month. The House reduced the proposed increase to $75 per month. o4a supports the Governor's proposal and will urge the Senate to restore the increase to $100 per month. 

o4a and our member agencies are busy meeting with Senators across the state to share our priorities. We plan to testify before the Senate Health Committee, which is hearing aging issues, the week of May 12th. Public testimony will be heard Tuesday May 13th and Thursday May 15th. The first round of amendments for consideration in the Senate sub-bill are due May 16th.  

House Changes Ohio Housing Trust Fund Structure

Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging provide services and resources for individuals to remain in their homes and communities as they age.  Finding affordable and accessible housing options continues to be one of the biggest challenges to accomplishing this, particularly for low-income older adults. The Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) is an important and unique partner and resource in supporting affordable, safe and accessible housing options for Ohioans of all ages and abilities. In recent years, Ohio’s AAAs have received millions from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to address the housing needs of older adults across counties in their region. 

In the last week of deliberations, the House added an amendment into the budget bill that made significant changes to the funding mechanism for the OHTF. The OHTF fee, created through the 2003 budget bill, would be changed under the House-passed budget by removing the requirement for county recorder fees go to the fund. A county-by-county approach is unnecessary and potentially harmful particularly in rural parts of Ohio, which currently receive more support from the OHTF than they contribute. 

O4a, in partnership with our friends at the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO), will advocate for the restoration of the current funding structure of the OHTF to ensure support for housing reaches the areas of our state that need it most.

Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults. 

This May, Ohio is celebrating the first-ever Older Ohioans Month. Earlier this year, Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill officially designating May as Older Ohioans Month in line with his continued commitment to older adults. Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel have also issued a proclamation marking the occasion and encouraging all Ohioans to celebrate and recognize those aged 60 or older.

The national 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. The National Center to Reframe Aging offers excellent resources and a toolkit to help support you in your OAM celebrations. 

Find materials to help you celebrate, including this year's logo, poster, social media graphics, and activity ideas here. Use #OlderAmericansMonth on social media to share your thoughts and activities and see what others are doing.

AAAs Hold Regional Legislative Roundtables

Throughout this spring Area Agencies on Aging continue to hold roundtable discussions with consumers, providers and elected officials to discuss the needs of older adults in their communities and how o4a's policy priorities seek to meet those needs. O4a's Beth Kowalczyk and Kelsey Bergfeld have attended each roundtable to speak to the state budget process and the association's policy priorities and advocacy efforts. 

Earlier this month, Ohio District 5 Area Agencies on Aging and Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging held events in their regions to discuss the most recent version of the state budget.

O4a thanks State Representatives Marilyn John, Bill Roemer, and Veronica R. Sims, as well as representatives from the Department of Aging for joining us!