State aging official outlines WISE master plan, asks legislature for Medicaid-waiver and nutrition funding

Nels Holmgren, a policy leader with the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services, told the Davis County Senior Services Advisory Board on Jan. 8 that the governor’s WISE initiative (Wealth, Independence, Security and Engagement) is producing a 10‑year master plan on aging and will be released as a draft for public comment in spring.

Holmgren said the division ran eight listening sessions around the state and convened four work groups this year to shape recommendations. He said the department expects to publish a draft in April or May and finalize the plan in July after public feedback.

Holmgren outlined two budget requests the division will press this legislative session. The first is an ongoing appropriation of $963,000 to reduce the statewide Medicaid aging‑waiver wait list; he said the program currently has an applicant list of about 200 people statewide and estimated roughly 120 would qualify if additional funds were available. “It’s $963,000,” Holmgren said, adding the waiver lets people who qualify for nursing‑home care receive services at home at roughly one‑fifth the cost of institutional care.

The second request is for nutrition services—home‑delivered and congregate meals—where the governor included $1.75 million in one‑time funding for the current budget. Holmgren said some federal sources have expired, creating a larger funding gap, and that the division hopes one‑time money will be available this year even if ongoing funds are scarce.

Holmgren also reported progress on staffing for Adult Protective Services and the Office of the Public Guardian: the department shifted some internal funds to add about five positions across those programs, allowing that staffing request to be removed from the legislative ask this session. He identified the House social‑services appropriations chair, Rep. Ray Ward, and Sen. Todd Weiler as key appropriations committee allies for aging‑related requests.

Board members pressed Holmgren about federal stability and the effect of recent tax‑and‑benefit discussions; Holmgren said federal Medicaid funding is expected to remain largely stable and described how the state adjusted the Social Security income threshold last session (the exempted portion was raised to $90,000). He closed by reminding members the 2026 legislative session runs Jan. 20–March 7 and offered to keep Davis County informed as draft recommendations and budget negotiations proceed.

Next steps: the division plans to circulate a draft plan for public comment in spring; Holmgren invited board members and area‑agency directors to weigh in and to help contact legislators as the appropriation process begins.