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Biologics in Perspective: The Case for Generic Biologic Drugs
Biologics are quickly becoming a common treatment option. Many of the new indications are for conditions that primarily affect older populations, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. However, given the substantial out-of-pocket costs that can be associated with using biologic drugs, many patients will face impeded access until generic biologic drugs become available.
Health Action Now
HealthActionNow.org is an effort by AARP to urge Congress and the Obama Administration to work together to pass meaningful health reform - now!
With the rising cost of medical care taking a toll on millions of Americans already struggling in this economic crisis, the reality is that we cannot truly fix our economy until we fix health care. Click here to learn more about why we need Health Action Now.
Health Coverage/Insurance
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Increasing Health Insurance Coverage for High-Cost Older Adults in the 50-to-64 Age Group In Brief
In recent years, a range of policy ideas has been proposed to make private health insurance more accessible and affordable. This In Brief presents highlights of a report by Linda Blumberg and Tim Waidmann of the Urban Institute on what advantages and disadvantages these ideas may have for adults ages 50-64. (2 pages)
September 9, 2009
By: Linda J. Blumberg and Timothy A. Waidmann, The Urban Institute
Increasing Health Insurance Coverage for High-Cost Older Adults
A range of policy ideas to make private health insurance more accessible and affordable has been proposed recently. This AARP Public Policy Institute research report by Linda Blumberg and Tim Waidmann of the Urban Institute explores the advantages and disadvantages these ideas may have for adults ages 50-64. (27 pages)
September 9, 2009
By: Linda J. Blumberg and Timothy A. Waidmann, The Urban Institute
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current population Surveys, this series of annual AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheets by Ke Bin Wu has been reporting the income, poverty and health Insurance status of Americans of all ages since 1995.
June 22, 2009
By: Ke Bin Wu, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
The Costs of Doing Nothing: What's at Stake Without Health Care Reform
This AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) chart book by Shelly-Ann Sinclair highlights the costs of inaction on health care reform from the perspective of consumers, businesses, society, and the nation. It also provides AARP’s framework for health security. (31 pages)
November 13, 2008
By: Shelly-Ann Sinclair, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
In Brief: How Prescription Drug Use Affects Health Care Utilization and Spending by Older Americans: A Review of the Literature
This brief summary of a similarly titled AARP Public Policy Institute report by Cindy Parks Thomas of Brandeis University looks at prescription drug use by older adults and its effect on use of non-drug services and suggests factors policy makers should keep in mind when considering changes in coverage for prescription drugs and other health care services. (2 pages)
April 30, 2008
By: Cindy Parks Thomas, Ph.D., Brandeis University, Schneider Institute for Health Policy | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Brandeis University, Schneider Institute for Health Policy
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule and Patient Access to Medical Records
This PPI Issue Paper, written by Beth Tossell, Emily Stewart, and Janlori Goldman of the Health Privacy Project, describes the provisions of the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which grants patients access to their medical records (paper and electronic). (36 pages)
February 22, 2006
By: Beth Tossell, Health Privacy Project; Emily Stewart, Health Privacy Project; Janlori Goldman, Health Privacy Project | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; Health Privacy Project
State Profiles: Reforming the Health Care System 2005, 13th Ed.
The latest available data on close to 100 health-related indicators for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are provided by this 13th edition of the AARP Public Policy Institute data book by Lynda Flowers, Leigh Gross, Patricia Kuo and Shelly-Ann Sinclair. (298 pages)
February 7, 2006
By: Lynda Flowers, AARP Public Policy Institute; Leigh Purvis, AARP Public Policy Institute; Patricia Kuo, AARP Public Policy Institute; Shelly-Ann Sinclair, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
State Profiles: Reforming the Health Care System 2003
The many dimensions of American health care are provided by Lynda Flowers, Ryan J. Cool and Molly E. Melvin in the 12th edition of the AARP Public Policy Institute’s compilation of profiles, data and rankings for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. (286 pages)
December 1, 2003
By: Lynda Flowers, AARP Public Policy Institute; Ryan Cool, AARP Public Policy Institute; Molly E. Melvin, AARP Public Policy Institute | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute
Decision Making In Consumer-Directed Health Plans
What will be required of consumers to effectively navigate an emerging approach to health insurance that transfers more responsibility to individuals for the cost and quality of their care – and the types of decision supports that will be needed to assist them – are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Judith H. Hibbard of the University of Oregon, Joyce Dubow of PPI, and Ellen Peters of Decision Research and the University of Oregon. (37 pages)
May 1, 2003
By: Judith Hibbard, Dr.P.H., University of Oregon, Department of Planning, Public Policy, and Management; Joyce Dubow, M.U.P., AARP Public Policy Institute; Ellen Peters, Ph.D., Decision Research, University of Oregon | Source: AARP Public Policy Institute; University of Oregon, Department of Planning, Public Policy, and Management; Decision Research, University of Oregon
Beyond 50.02: A Report to the Nation on Trends in Health Security
AARP’s comprehensive and revealing portrait of health security among age 50+ Americans covers health and well-being, health coverage, affordability of care, quality of care, and informed decision-making among the nation’s midlife and older population.
May 1, 2002
By: AARP Public Policy Institute
Solutions Forums
Saving Jobs in A Recession: How Work Sharing Can Help
Seventeen states have programs that use unemployment funds to keep workers on the job with reduced hours. Learn how federal and state policy can better promote these work-sharing programs--and how several European nations have implemented work-sharing.
The Auto IRA: Strategies for Successful Implementation
Experts from the US and abroad discussed how an Auto-IRA can improve retirement security; lessons from similar programs in New Zealand and the UK; and how the Auto-IRA can work well for workers, small business and the financial industry.
Protecting Your Home, Car and Investment Savings: How to Stop Financial Fraud
How fraud impacts financial security, especially for older Americans—and discussion of policy options for combating mortgage, auto sales and investment scams. Luncheon speaker SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro discussed the Commission’s priorities on financial fraud.
Getting it Right: Smart Housing and Transportation Planning for Livable Communities
This forum featured release of new research on preserving subsidized housing near transit and discussion of how to coordinate housing, transportation and land use policy to develop livable communities.
What Happened to My Social Security COLA?
Why no COLA is expected for 2010 and how this affects individuals and the states. Panelists include experts from the Social Security Administration, AARP, the National Governors Association and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A New Look at Making Financial Decisions for Retirement
PPI released a series of new reports offering a fresh look at financial decisions related to retirement. Experts examined why many people make poor choices and explore how to improve the options available to retirees.
Fixing Chronic Care in America
National experts discussed problems facing millions of Americans with multiple chronic conditions, and explored potential solutions highlighted in a new PPI publication, Chronic Care: a Call to Action for Health Reform and in a new video Faces of Chronic Care.
AARP Public Policies
Learn about the policy development process at AARP. For a complete guide to AARP's positions on public issues, see The Policy Book, AARP Public Policies 2009-2010.
Center to Champion Nursing in America
The Center to Champion Nursing in America seeks to ensure Americans have the highly skilled nurses we need to provide affordable, quality health care. The Center serves as a consumer-driven, national force to increase the nation’s capacity to educate and retain nurses.
