Tom Stanley

The 2026 Older Adults Lobby Day did not disappoint 🎉🎉

Thank you Mass Aging Access and everyone who came to the State House to advocate for the funding and policies that help our state’s older adults age in place 🏠

Although every Older Adult Lobby Day is special, this event was especially memorable as it will be Senator Pat Jehlen last as co-chair of the Aging and Independence Committee. Her leadership and commitment will live on and help us continue to prioritize the needs of our aging population 🙏

While we have accomplished much this session, there is more to do to support older adults and their caregivers across the Commonwealth!
📌Pass Home Care Licensure (H.4706) in the Senate to ensure all home care consumers and workers are protected from bad actors
📌Establish a special commission to study the feasibility of creating a state public benefits program for long-term supports and services (H.4559/S.2645)
📌Maintain funding to programs and services under the Aging and Independence Secretariat (over $1 billion!) in the final budget as we weather a challenging fiscal climate and looming Medicaid cuts

MAA was such an integral partner for getting Home Care Licensure passed in the House and championing the budget items our older adults and caregivers rely on.

I look forward to the work ahead with MAA and the other amazing partners of this event:
AARP Massachusetts
Massachusetts Councils on Aging
Mass Senior Action Council
Point 32 Health
MassPACE

Thank you Massachusetts Assisted Living Association + all their members who came to the State House yesterday for 2026 Assisted Living Advocacy Day and engaged with legislators and staff on what assisted living is (and is not), where it fits on the continuum of care for older adults and how it helps them age in place 🙏

While it was great to see so many providers from across the state, the event was somewhat bittersweet as it will be Senator Pat Jehlen last as co-chair of the Aging and Independence Committee.

A lot has happened in the last 12 months for assisted living in MA!

📌Implementation of last session’s Long-Term Care Reform Law (Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024)
📌Assisted Living Residences Commission released our final report after holding 16 meetings and 2 public hearings
📌The Executive Office of Aging & Independence release proposed regulations to strengthen emergency preparedness and allow ALRs to provide basic health services
📌The MA AGO released proposed consumer protection for residents of ALRs

Throughout it all, Mass-ALA has been a valuable partner and will continue to be as we introduce a bill implementing some of the legislative recommendations from the ALR Commission (H.5376/S.3057) and continue to push for legislation making assisted living more equitable and accessible for low-income individuals (H.791/S.474).

The conversations we demonstrate of the importance of collaboration as we work to support residents, empower caregivers, and strengthen assisted living communities across Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing this work together!