CO-AGE Issues for the 2025 Legislative Session
CO-AGE is a vehicle for bringing broad-based input on aging issues from across the state to the attention of the General Assembly. Every July, CO-AGE members vote to prioritize issues to bring to Georgia’s elected officials. Here are the issues that were voted on for the 2025 Legislative Session.
Budget Priority
$2.5 Million Increase in Funding for Non-Medicaid Home & Community Based Services
Home and Community Based Services provide support for older Georgians to remain at home as long as possible by providing home modifications, personal assistance, meals, transportation, and other services. These services cost far less than staying at a nursing home and can help seniors stay independent longer.
For the 2025 legislative session, CO-AGE is requesting $2.5 Million in funding for HCBS to reduce the Tier 1 Waiting List of more than 4,500 older adults.
Legislative Priorities
Update the Georgia Code for Multidisciplinary Teams for Adult Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation
Many cases of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation involve varied professionals with varied levels of expertise thus leading to the creation of Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs). The make-up of an MDT varies based on the case and the needs of the local community.
In 2018, legislation was passed to allow judicial districts in Georgia to create MDTs to help address elder abuse. In the districts that have set up these teams, it has been a very effective tool. However, many areas have been unable to implement MDTs due to heavy District Attorney (DA) caseloads and lack of administrative supports.
CO-AGE proposes the creation of a Statewide Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator Program within the Prosecuting Attorney's Council (PAC) of Georgia which will provide the infrastructure for a statewide, uniform response to elder abuse in each judicial circuit.
Study of Medicaid in Assisted Living Facilities
Older adults who have physical or cognitive decline need assistance with activities of daily living and nursing oversight. Those with adequate means can receive these services in assisted living homes; however, assisted living is not funded through Medicaid in the state of Georgia. Medicaid funding would help Georgia’s growing elder population to receive the level of care needed.
CO-AGE is seeking funding from the legislature in Georgia to pay for a survey and report that can be shared with the legislature and Department of Community Health that will answer how much Medicaid in assisted living programs are costing in other states and how the programs work.
Supportive Decision-Making Documents as an Alternative to Adult Guardianship
Often, elderly adults and individuals with disabilities struggle with decision-making. These decisions come from different areas such as health care, finances, living arrangements, education, and work. For this struggling population, the only means of assistance for those seeking aid in decision-making is through guardianship, which is the only formal process established in Georgia.
Guardianship immediately grants power to the guardian in making all of these decisions for their principal.
CO-AGE proposes legislation in Georgia that creates a formal process for supported decision-making that will formally establish the principal-agent relationship through statutory form.
Study of Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)
Many older adults receive terminal diagnoses that presage a long, painful, and expensive process before death ensues. This impacts not just the individual but also their families, who suffer in agonizing powerlessness as they watch and care for their loved family member as he/she succumb slowly and painfully to an ultimate and inevitable death. A MAID law would allow older Georgians to know that they can choose, if they so wish, a path that will allow them to die with dignity.
CO-AGE is proposing a Joint Study Committee be created by the legislature to explore the issue of MAID and raise awareness surrounding the bipartisan support of the issue.
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