During the Oct. 9, 2024, Commission on Aging Legislative Breakfast and Meeting, the COA Legislative Committee presented its 2025 Legislative Platform. The platform outlines the COA’s position on legislative issues and is a guide for its advocacy efforts.

The COA’s platform aligns with Johnson County’s Legislative Platforms which were recently approved by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners.

For 2025, the Johnson County Commission on Aging supports the following:

1. Expand Medicaid in Kansas Supports expanding Medicaid to reduce county and out-of-pocket expenses for residents by eliminating the health insurance coverage gap.
2. Long-term Care Funding Supports increased funding for the Senior Care Act and Home and Community-Based Service Waivers. This would allow these programs to raise service rates, grow community-based organizations, and attract needed staff allowing older Kansans greater ability to delay or prevent the need for facility care especially in rural areas of the state.
3. Nutrition Funding Supports increased state funding for home-delivered meal programs, congregate meal options and grab-n-go meal options.
4. Tax Relief for Low-Income Seniors Supports continued expansion of the eligibility of the current Homestead Act and SAFESR programs that give property tax relief to Seniors.
5. Medicare Counseling Supports additional state funding for the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas for seniors ages 65 and over.

In addition to the five noted priorities, the COA also identified additional areas where it can place some emphasis in its advocacy work. These areas include:

• Transportation for seniors
• Affordable housing for seniors
• Establish Senate legislative committee and re-establish House legislative committee on senior issues
• Elimination of KPERS 3 by moving these employees to KPERS 2
• Protection of voting accessibility for seniors

For more information on the Johnson County Commission on Aging, visit jocogov.org/coa.