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Region 7 Area Agency on Aging outlines $288,000 in county services, warns against Medicaid cuts
Summary
Monica Fryer, interim executive director of Region 7 Area Agency on Aging, told Gratiot County commissioners that $2,394 in county dues helped leverage just over $288,000 in services to Gratiot in FY 2024 and urged local advocacy against proposed Medicaid reductions to preserve home- and community-based services.
Monica Fryer, interim executive director of Region 7 Area Agency on Aging, briefed Gratiot County commissioners on services the agency provides across a 10-county area and what those services mean locally. "Gratiot County in fiscal year 20 24 paid region 7 $2,394 in dues," Fryer said. "What you received in return for those dues, over just over $288,000 coming into your community for these services." She listed home-delivered meals (more than $93,000 to Gratiot), Medicaid My Choice waiver services that serve 60 county residents, transportation, caregiver training, and care management supports.
Fryer said Region 7 supplements county millages and often provides administrative support at lower overhead than state-level programs. She warned that federal and state proposals to cut Medicaid or restructure Older Americans Act funding could hurt local home- and community-based services and urged commissioners to talk with lawmakers. "We're advocating at the state level and the federal level for them not to make those Medicaid cuts," she said, and added that Region 7 had received Older Americans Act funding through September after recent advocacy.
Commissioners exchanged questions about office locations and program staffing; Fryer confirmed Region 7’s main office is in Bay City and that staff are active in all 10 counties in the region. Commissioners thanked Fryer for the presentation and for keeping local waiver clients served in their homes.
Why it matters
Region 7’s presentation ties small county dues to larger service flows: the agency reported dollars brought into Gratiot County for nutrition, waiver services, congregate meals and other supportive services that help seniors remain in their homes. Commissioners were told that without these services some residents might require nursing-home placement — locally fewer than 60 nursing-home beds are available — increasing county long-term-care pressure and costs.
Next steps
Fryer asked commissioners to continue advocacy with state and federal lawmakers to protect Older Americans Act funding and Medicaid waiver programs. Region 7 staff offered to be a local contact for residents seeking services, and commissioners expressed appreciation and asked staff to remain in contact on state funding developments.
