MPA Survey Open, New Episode, and What's Coming Up in Aging Policy (July 2026)

2026 State of Multisector Plans for Aging Survey: Your State's Input Needed

States across the country are developing comprehensive, statewide multisector plans for aging (MPAs) to better coordinate policies, programs, and investments that affect older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Following the 2024 State of Multisector Plans for Aging Survey, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), in partnership with West Health and The SCAN Foundation, is conducting a survey to assess where states are in their planning and identify additional states interested in pursuing an MPA process. The survey will be open from July 13-July 31, 2026. Our goal is having a response from each state. Please complete the survey linked here: 2026 State of Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA) Survey – Fill out form.
 
If you have any questions or would like a CHCS staff member to walk you through this, please contact Valerie Flores at vflores@chcs.org.  

The Pew Charitable Trusts: The Aging Population Is Changing States' Revenue, Spending, and Service Demand Outlook

As the share of Americans 65 and older continues to climb, states are facing real fiscal impacts, from shifting tax revenue to rising Medicaid and long-term care costs to growing demand for transportation, housing, and caregiver support. This new issue brief breaks down the three key areas of budget risk states face and highlights how states like Colorado, Montana, Hawaii, and Virginia are using fiscal assessments, needs assessments, and cross-sector strategic plans, including Multisector Plans for Aging, to prepare.

📖 Read the full brief here

New Episode: Data and Aging: How State Aging Dashboards Drive AccountabilityUpcoming Events 

The second episode of LeverAGE: Reimagining Aging, Health, and the Future of Care — a podcast series from West Health and the American Society on Aging is here.

How are states turning Multisector Plans for Aging into real, measurable action? In this episode, we sit down with Kristine Burrows of the Colorado Department of Human Services, and Terri Shaw of Shaw Consulting to explore the power of interactive aging data dashboards.

Drawing on emerging examples from California, Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee, Patrice, Kristine, and Terri unpack how these dashboards turn complex demographic, economic, and health data into practical tools for planning, transparency, and accountability. The conversation covers how platforms track indicators across economic security, health and well-being, housing, caregiving, transportation, and long-term services, helping policymakers and communities spot disparities and monitor progress over time.

The episode also spotlights West Health's National Aging Readiness Dashboard and its growing role in giving states a cross-state lens for benchmarking their readiness as populations rapidly age.
Available now wherever you listen to podcasts — tune in and join the conversation🎙here. 

Colorado's Multi-Sector Plan on Aging: Year 1 Report Is Here

Colorado just published its first-year progress report on the Multi-Sector Plan on Aging (MPA) — the state's roadmap for improving quality of life for older adults through coordinated action across government, nonprofits, and the private sector. Highlights include a new public Data Dashboard, an Implementation Tracker for real-time accountability, and 14 new initiatives launching in Year 2.

Read the full report: here

Upcoming Events

ADvancing States 2026 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference

August 23–27, 2026 | Baltimore Marriott Waterfront | Baltimore, MD

Save the date for the 2026 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference, ADvancing States’ premier national event focused on strengthening long-term services and supports (LTSS). The conference convenes policymakers and HCBS leaders to share innovative practices that improve state systems. Registration opens Spring 2026—sign up to receive updates.

Sign up for updates

Contact us

For questions, comments, or suggestions related to MPAs or the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at MPA@westhealth.org.