In a difficult budget year, the Senior Meals & Services Coalition did not achieve its hoped-for legislative outcomes. Nevertheless, the Coalition laid important groundwork for future support.
As you will recall, the Coalition asked the Minnesota Legislature for crucial support for older adults in the 2025 session:
- $11 million biennial appropriation to meet minimum nutritional needs.
- $2 million biennial appropriation to address transportation needs.
- $2 million biennial appropriation to provide support services, including assisted transportation, homemaker services and outdoor chores.
- Funding for a study of WRAPS Resources, a program for enhanced Adult Protective Services.
The final Health and Human Services bill passed by the House and the Senate and signed by the governor includes only a small amount of new funding for senior nutrition:
- $250K in SFY 26
- $250K in SFY 27
- $751K in SFY28
- $752K in SFY 29
No funding was appropriated for transportation, support services or enhanced protective services.
The need for meals and services for older adults continues to grow and the Coalition is committed to continuing its efforts in future legislative sessions.
Thank you to bill authors
We are grateful to Senate and House authors to the 2025 bills:
Senate lead author, Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL), and co-authors, Sen. Jim Abeler (R) and Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL).
House lead authors, Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL) and Rep. Joe Schomacker (R) and co-authors, Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL), Rep. Kim Hicks (DFL), Rep. Steve Gander, and Rep. Kari Rehrauer (DFL).
Thank you for your steadfast support for older adults.
Thank you, Coalition members
We are stronger together. Thank you to Senior Meals & Services Coalition members for advocating for the health and well-being of older adults.
We appreciate your work, but our work is not done. We will be developing our plan for the next session. Let’s continue to collaborate on behalf of seniors in Minnesota!