Under the Same Sky featuring Michael Costa
Michael Costa, Commissioner, California Commission on Aging
Under the Same Sky: Building a Better Future for Aging in California
At GroundGame.Health, we believe that health and social services should work seamlessly to help people live healthier, more independent lives. In our latest Under the Same Sky conversation, we sat down with Michael Costa, a public policy leader with over 40 years of experience and a newly appointed member of the California Commission on Aging.
Michael shared his journey from clinical psychology to public policy, as well as his lifelong commitment to integrating healthcare and social services for older adults. His passion is clear: helping people age with dignity and remain in their communities as long as possible.
The Commission’s mission is ambitious, advocating for equity in aging policy and advising California state leaders on effective strategies. Current priorities include:
- Affordable Housing: Preventing homelessness among older adults through rental subsidies, rapid rehousing, eviction prevention, and more.
- Disaster Recovery: How to provide for the future to minimize the impacts of fires on Californians.
- Behavioral Health: Expanding access to mental health services and workforce development of behavioral health workers, backed by a $6.4 billion bond from Proposition 1 to implement behavioral health measures and provisions.
- Workforce Opportunities: Creating flexible employment opportunities for older adults.
Michael also highlighted California’s Master Plan for Aging and the California 2030 initiative, both designed to prepare for a future where one in four Californians will be over 60 by 2030.
On a national level, Michael stressed the importance of reauthorizing the Older Americans Act and maintaining dedicated agencies like the Administration for Community Living to ensure seniors’ needs remain apriority.
Michael said, “If we can meaningfully integrate social and health care services payment and expand coverage through CMS, we might be able to create some economies of scale in the process for supporting older Americans.”
