Advocacy Day 2026
Mark your calendar — P4A Advocacy Day is May 4, 2026! Make your voice heard for older Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging
P4A Advocacy Day 2026
Area Agencies on Aging Serving Older Pennsylvanians
Express Interest in AttendingWelcoming Remarks
Legislative Meetings
Harrisburg, PA
Why Advocacy Matters
Standing Up for Older Pennsylvanians
Pennsylvania's older adults deserve the services and support that allow them to live with dignity, independence, and connection to their communities.
Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve all 67 counties, providing a lifeline of services — from home-delivered meals and transportation to caregiver support, legal assistance, and in-home care — that enable older Pennsylvanians to remain in their homes and communities. These services are not a luxury; they are an essential safety net for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians and their families.
As the Commonwealth finalizes its Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget, the decisions made in Harrisburg will directly determine whether older Pennsylvanians have access to the services they need. Funding for the PENNCARE line item — the primary state funding source for AAA services — has not kept pace with the growing demand driven by Pennsylvania's rapidly aging population. Without adequate investment, waiting lists grow, services are cut, and vulnerable older adults are left without support.
On May 4, 2026, advocates from across Pennsylvania will come to Harrisburg to deliver a clear, unified message to their legislators: older Pennsylvanians cannot wait.
Our 2026 Legislative Priorities
Two Clear Asks for the Legislature
P4A is bringing two specific, actionable requests to the Pennsylvania General Assembly this Advocacy Day. These asks reflect the urgent needs of older Pennsylvanians and the agencies that serve them.
FY 2026–27 Budget Investment
P4A is urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to include $107 million in the Fiscal Year 2026–27 state budget for the PENNCARE line item — the dedicated funding stream that supports services for older adults delivered through Area Agencies on Aging.
This investment will help reduce waiting lists, sustain critical in-home and community-based services, and ensure that older Pennsylvanians across all 67 counties can access the support they need to live independently and with dignity.
Regulate and Tax Skill Games
Pennsylvania currently has thousands of unregulated skill game machines operating throughout the Commonwealth, generating significant revenue with no state oversight or taxation. P4A urges the legislature to regulate and tax skill games, with the revenue generated directed to the PENNCARE line item to fund services for older adults through the Area Agencies on Aging network.
This common-sense solution would create a new, sustainable revenue stream — at no additional cost to taxpayers — to help meet the growing demand for aging services across Pennsylvania.
The Stakes
The People Behind the Numbers
Behind every budget line is a real person — an older adult who relies on a home-delivered meal to stay nourished, a family caregiver who depends on respite services to avoid burnout, or a veteran who needs transportation to a medical appointment. Pennsylvania's Area Agencies on Aging serve these individuals every day.
Pennsylvania is one of the oldest states in the nation by population. The demand for aging services is growing — and the funding must grow with it. Advocacy Day is an opportunity to make that case directly to the people who hold the power to act.
Day of Event
Advocacy Day Schedule
Location: Pennsylvania State Capitol Building, Harrisburg, PA
Parking and transit information will be shared with registered attendees.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Kickoff & Welcoming Remarks Gather with fellow advocates for opening remarks, an overview of the day's priorities, and advocacy training. |
| 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Legislative Meetings Scheduled meetings with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and their staff. Advocates will present P4A's FY 2026–27 budget ask and the skill games revenue proposal. |
| TBD Placeholder | Lunch Break Details to be announced. Check back for updates. |
| TBD Placeholder | Additional Programming Details to be announced. Check back for updates. |
| 4:00 PM | Conclusion of Meetings |
Schedule subject to change. Registered attendees will receive a detailed agenda and meeting assignments in advance of the event.
Join Us on May 4, 2026
Are you interested in attending P4A Advocacy Day? We want to hear from you! Send us an email to let us know you are coming and to receive updates about the event, including your meeting assignments and logistics details.
Register Your InterestYou can also email us directly at info@p4a.org to let us know you are coming.
Have questions? Email us at info@p4a.org and we will be happy to help.
Advocacy Materials
Documents & Resources
We are preparing a full set of advocacy materials for Advocacy Day participants. Documents will be posted here as they become available. Registered attendees will also receive materials directly by email.
FY 2026–27 One-Pager
A concise summary of P4A's $107 million budget ask and the case for PENNCARE investment.
Coming soonSkill Games Fact Sheet
Background on skill game regulation and how dedicated revenue would benefit older Pennsylvanians.
Coming soonTalking Points & Advocacy Guide
Key messages and tips for meeting with your legislators effectively on Advocacy Day.
Coming soonEvent Agenda & Meeting Schedule
Full day-of schedule, room assignments, and logistics information for registered attendees.
Coming soon