Governor Healey Signs $57.8 Billion Budget with Provisions AARP has Fought For

Gov. Maura Healey signed the budget adopted by the Massachusetts House & Senate for fiscal year 2025. The budget funds services and resources that help residents age in their home and community where they want to.

The budget contains a number of provisions AARP has fought for. AARP Massachusetts sent Governor Healey a letter asking her to sign the budget. You can read the letter here.

AARP believes the budget is an opportunity to plan for the Bay State’s growing older population. In 2020, the 60-plus group comprised 24 percent of the population. Adults 60 and over in Massachusetts will soon eclipse the under-20 age cohort for the first time in recorded history.

FY2025 budget funds many essential services that help older Massachusetts residents. These include:

• Home and Community-Based Care: This helps seniors to age with dignity in their home or community where they want to.
• Councils on Aging: These community hubs provide vital resources and social connections for the aging population.
• Geriatric Mental Health: Funds outreach, counseling and resources for older adults with mental health needs.
• Enhanced Food Assistance Benefits: Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program helps to provide fresh locally grown food for the state’s network of emergency food providers.
• Affordable Health Care Coverage: The budget tackles a number of health care components; from funding MassHealth, the largest investment made in the state budget, to maintaining competitive wages in the state’s nursing facility workforce
  

A number of programs have seen their budgets increase next year. They include:

• Councils on Aging – increased by $1.4 million
• Elder Nutrition – increased by $200,000
• Congregate Housing – increased by $600,000
• Elder Protective Services – increased by $4.5 million
• Elder Home Care – increased by $16 million
• Elder Home Care Purchased Services – increased by $22 million
• Senior Supportive Housing – increased by $23 million
  

The Budget also introduces some innovative policies and funding:

• Access to Counsel Statewide Pilot Program: This pilot program provides legal assistance for low-income tenants facing eviction.
• Municipal Tax Lien Protections: A provision bans so-called “home equity theft." It allows property owners going through foreclosure to reclaim any excess equity on their homes once their tax bill is settled. This brings the state foreclosure law into line with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year.
• LGBTQIA+ Virtual Senior Center: Funds are allocated to continue a virtual center that connects LGBTQIA+ Seniors.
• Dementia Care Coordination Program: The Program helps over 1,000 families to reduce hospitalizations, emergency department visits and delay long-term care placements.
• Operation ABLE: Funding to help job seekers, the underemployed, those in career transition, and military veterans who need job support services to re-enter the workforce.

Other Budget Highlights:

Free Community College: Tuition free college for Massachusetts residents pursuing a degree at a public community college in the Bay State. Students must at least attend part-time and must not already have a bachelor’s degree.

Massachusetts Lottery online: The Massachusetts Lottery may soon have an online component. The Budget allows for lottery “tickets, games or shares,” to be sold online. The lottery commission will work out the details. But, under the budget, online sales will be available to people 21 and over. The age restriction remains at 18+ for in person lottery sales.

Free Regional bus Rides The budget also makes regional buses fares free. The move does not include MBTA service.

AARP Massachusetts testified in favor of a number of programs earlier this year.

“AARP believes the Commonwealth must invest in these vital programs, services, and budgets now. We know that with each budget, difficult decisions must be made. We also know that the most vulnerable among us must be protected,” said Sandra Harris, State President AARP Massachusetts in March.

AARP Massachusetts’ budget priorities include programs and services that recognize and support the critical role of family caregivers; help people stay in their own home and community; strengthen the financial security of Massachusetts residents; and encourage age-friendly communities.

AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. If you’d like to help AARP Massachusetts, let us know. ma@aarp.org