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AARP Bulletin Survey on Consumer Debt and Loans: Executive SummaryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Levels of debt and consumers ability to take action to reduce financial obligations does not differ between those age 18-49 and those age 50+, although more older respondents to this national survey had retired their student loans than younger respondents. (3 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - July 1, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Most Small Employers Face Low Costs to Implement Automatic IRAsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Most employers would likely face low costs to implement an Automatic IRA program for employees who do not have access to an employer-provided retirement plan, this report finds, allaying concerns about potential costs to small employers. (9 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 24, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

State Health Care Briefs 2009: Why Health Care Reform is ImportantEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This set of State Health Care Briefs provides a one-page overview of facts on health care data for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 23, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United StatesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureaus 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.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 22, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

A Medicare Buy-in Program In BriefEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Medicare buy-in as part of health reform? The pros and cons of allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare before age 65 are reviewed in this brief synopsis of an AARP Public Policy Institute research report of the same name by Gerry Smolka and Sarah Thomas. (2 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 15, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

A Medicare Buy-in ProgramEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Medicare buy-in as part of health reform? The pros and cons of allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare before age 65 are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Gerry Smolka and Sarah Thomas. (14 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 15, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Physician Payment Reform in Medicare In BriefEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Ways to improve Medicare payments to physicians currently being tested, as well as lessons from abroad, are examined in this brief synopsis of the AARP Public Policy Institute research report, Physician Payment: Current System and Opportunities for Reform, written by Lynn Nonnemaker, Sarah Thomas, and Joyce Dubow. (2 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

50+ Hispanic Workers: A Growing Segment of the U.S. WorkforceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Older Hispanics participate in the labor force at relative high rates and are dependable and relatively healthy; nonetheless, many face substantial challenges in the workplace, working in physically demanding jobs and earning low wages and few benefits, according to this 2009 report. (77 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Medicare Beneficiaries Out-of-Pocket Spending for Health Care ServicesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Medicare beneficiaries out-of-pocket spending for health care services is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues and chart pack by Lynn Nonnemaker and Shelly-Ann Sinclair. Beneficiaries spent an average of $4,394 of their own money on health care services in 2005about 28 percent of income. (12 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 8, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Providing More Long-term Support and Services at Home: Why Its Critical for Health ReformEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Expansion of home and community-based long term care services can significantly help address the health care needs of many older adults, as explained in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet. (3 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - June 2, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

The GINA Law: Consumer Protection in a New Era of Genetic TestingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
A May 2009 Medicare coverage decision involving genomic testing, and the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), highlight the scientific and societal ramifications of integrating genomics and genetic testing into our healthcare system, while protecting consumers, as discussed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by N. Lee Rucker. (4 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 31, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

AARP Bulletin Survey on Employment Status of the 45+ Population: Executive SummaryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
One-quarter of the 45+ population reported being retired and another twenty-two percent reported it was somewhat likely that their job could be eliminated within the next year in this nationwide survey. (5 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 29, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Biologics in Perspective: The Case for Generic Biologic DrugsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Leigh Purvis discusses the growing need for generic biologic drugs. (2 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 21, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Closing a Gap in Medicare Drug Coverage: How to Help Millions of Beneficiaries Afford Needed MedicationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Fact Sheet by Lee Rucker and Leigh Purvis explains the gap in Medicare Part D drug coverage known as the doughnut hole, discusses how it impacts beneficiaries, and presents options for closing the gap. (3 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 18, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Creating a Medicare Transitional Care Benefit: How it Can Save Billions and Improve CareEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet explains how a Medicare transitional care benefit can save billions of dollars in hospital readmissions and improve health outcomes and satisfaction for millions of beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. (1 page)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 13, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

In Brief: Planning Complete Streets for an Aging AmericaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Despite the age tsunami, over two-thirds of transportation planners and engineers have yet to begin considering the needs of older people in their multimodal street planning. This Public Policy Institute In Brief summarizes how Complete Streets can be applied toward road planning and design to increase the safety and availability of older adults travel options. (2 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Planning Complete Streets for an Aging AmericaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Despite the age tsunami, over two-thirds of transportation planners and engineers have yet to begin considering the needs of older people in their multimodal street planning. This Public Policy Institute research summarizes how Complete Streets can be applied toward road planning and design to increase the safety and availability of older adults travel options. (128 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Older Workers on the Move: Recareering in Later LifeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Research Paper by Richard W. Johnson, Janette Kawachi, and Eric K. Lewis of The Urban Institute examines the characteristics of workers who change careers in later life. Career change may become more common as more individuals continue to work past retirement age. (67 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - May 7, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Social Security: Ten Facts that MatterEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Selena Caldera discusses ten important facts about Social Security, highlighting the programs long-term solvency problem and the critical role it plays in securing the income of many Americans. (6 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 30, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Going From Good to Great: A Livable Communities Survey in Westchester County, New YorkEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
More than seven in ten residents of Westchester County, New York, rate their community as excellent (14%), very good (26%), or good (31%), according to a recent telephone survey of 800 residents ages 50+. More than nine in ten say it is extremely (27%), very (45%), or somewhat (19%) important for them to remain in their community for as long as possible.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 21, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

An Illustrative Analysis of Medicare Options Compare: Whats There and Whats Not?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Marsha Gold of Mathematica Policy Research assesses Medicare Options Compare, a web site maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help beneficiaries choose among available Medicare Advantage plans. (16 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 20, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

In Brief: Employment Support for the Transition to Retirement: Can a New Program Help Older Workers Work Longer and Protect Those Who Cannot?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this brief synopsis of an AARP Public Policy Institute report with the same title, David Stapleton of Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., proposes a program to encourage later retirement by helping older workers increase their earnings and postpone reliance on their retirement benefits until the benefits are larger. (2 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 16, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Employment Support for the Transition to Retirement: Can a New Program Help Older Workers Continue to Work and Protect Those Who Cannot?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute report by David Stapleton of Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., proposes a program to encourage later retirement by helping older workers increase their earnings and postpone reliance on their retirement benefits until the benefits are larger. (51 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 16, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Social Security Disability Insurance: A PrimerEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Ellen OBrien provides an overview of the Social Security Disability Insurance program, including how the program works, who it serves, how it is administered, and how it is financed. (24 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 15, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

19 Million Working-Age Americans Have a Disability that Limits or Prevents Work. Most Are Poor or Low-Income.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Ellen OBrien and Carlos Figueiredo explains why people with disabilities are often at a disadvantage in the labor market and calls on insurance and assistance programs to provide more timely and adequate support. (6 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 15, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

The Boomer Factor: Rethinking an Underutilized Workforce in NevadaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The approaches used by Nevada employers to retain and recruit workers ages 50+ as well as retain worker and institutional knowledge and experience are examined in surveys conducted with employers in three areas: Clark County, Carson City/Douglas County, and Washoe County.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 7, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

The Road Ahead: AARP Survey on Community Services in DelawareEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Delaware residents age 35+ have a strong desire to remain in their communities as long as they can, according to this December 2008 survey. Respondents ranked safe neighborhoods, well-designed and maintained streets, supportive services, and good job opportunities as the most important characteristics of a community. (53 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 6, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

AARP Bulletin Survey on Retirement Savings: Executive SummaryEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Most adults have started to cut back on spending or save more money in the past 12 months according to this February 2009 survey, which also examines the reasons for this behavior and whether people plan to spend or save their 2009 stimulus payout. (7 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - April 1, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Getting From Here to There: The Opinions of Oahu, Hawai'i Residents 50+ on Complete StreetsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Residents age 50+ of Oahu, Hawai'i, support a Complete Streets policyone that ensures that roads will be designed for all users (including walkers, bikers, and public transportation riders), not only driversaccording to this October 2008 survey. (20 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 31, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study: Impact of Diet and Lifestyle Factors on Cancer IncidenceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Presents findings from the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study related to the association between cancer incidence and particular dietary nutrients.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 25, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Beyond 50.09 Chronic Care: A Call to Action for Health ReformEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The ninth of AARPs annual Beyond 50 reports on people with chronic illness and their caregivers, offering recommendations for changes in the delivery of health care to better support this population. (110 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 23, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Taking the Long View: Investing in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Is Cost-EffectiveEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues highlights research showing, over time, states that invest in home and community-based services (HCBS) experience slower Medicaid expenditure growth than states with low HCBS spending. (8 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 18, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Health Care Reform: Whats at Stake for 50- to 64-Year-Olds?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Health care costs and coverage issues for adults ages 50-64 and policy implications for health care reform are explored in this Insight on the Issues by Gerry Smolka, Leigh Purvis, and Carlos Figueiredo of AARPs Public Policy Institute. (13 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

How Consumer Choice Affects Health CoverageEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The challenges of designing a sustainable health coverage program to serve people with differing health needs are outlined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues, written by Mercers George Wagoner. Choices can attract broad enrollment but can produce unanticipated costs for individuals and program sponsors. (10 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

The Tier 4 Phenomenon: Shifting the High Cost of Drugs to ConsumersEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cost shifting that employers and insurers are utilizing in regard to expensive drugs on the fourth tier of drug plan formularies is the focus of this report. It was found that consumers are increasingly being asked to pay a larger share of the costs of expensive, breakthrough drugs. (12 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

A First Look at How Medicare Advantage Benefits and Premiums in Individual Enrollment Plans are Changing from 2008 to 2009Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Between 2008 and 2009, the number of Medicare Advantage plans increased slightly and cost sharing varied substantially across plans. This AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Marsha Gold and Maria Cupples Hudson of Mathematica Policy Research analyzes data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (16 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 9, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Medicare Advantage Benefit Design: What Does It Provide, What Doesnt It Provide, and Should Standards Apply?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This AARP Public Policy Institute research report by Marsha Gold and Maria Cupples Hudson analyzes recent changes in Medicare Advantage (MA) benefit design. It finds that MA plans have utilized the flexibility afforded them under the law to modify the structure of traditional Medicare benefits in important ways. (38 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 6, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Across the States 2009: Profiles of Long-Term Care and Independent LivingEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This eighth edition of AARP Public Policy Institutes state long-term care reference report presents comparable state- and national-level data for more than 140 indicators on long-term services and supports from a wide variety of sources.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - March 3, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Caregiving and End of Life Issues: A Survey of AARP Members in FloridaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This May 2008 survey finds that 13% of AARP members in Florida are providing care for a relative, friend, spouse, companion, or partner. Nearly two-thirds have talked with a relative about their own wishes for care at the end of life. (33 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 28, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Improving Affordability, Expanding Coverage: Opinions about Health Care Reform in UtahEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Utah residents are worried about the affordability of health care and support reform proposals that promote health care affordability and accessibility, according to this November 2008 survey. (28 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 28, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Multi-Generational Housing PatternsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
While most respondents to this January 2009 survey of adults ages 18 and older said that moving in with a friend or family member was unlikely, among those who thought it was a possibility, one-third said that such a move would be due to a loss in income. (20 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 24, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

2008 North Dakota Member SurveyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Health care, tax issues, and in-home care are the top state legislative priorities for AARP North Dakota members, according to this mail survey conducted in October-November 2008. Almost nine in ten members (87 percent) said affordable, accessible health care is a top or high priority. (20 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 23, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

A Balancing Act: AARP Survey on Long-Term Care Reform in New HampshireEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The current allocation of long-term care funding in New Hampshire is not aligned with the preferences of AARP members in the state, who want to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible, according to this January 2009 survey. (17 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 12, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

U.S. Supreme Court Protects Designated Beneficiaries of Workplace Savings PlansEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Court agreed with AARPs brief and held that an employer-provided savings plan must comply with its terms in paying beneficiaries. Since a divorced wife remained the designated beneficiary, plan directors could not distribute proceeds to someone else upon the ex-husbands death; a reminder to all to regularly review their designations.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 12, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Anti-Retaliation LawEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Court unanimously agreed with AARP that federal employment discrimination laws protect a worker from being fired for cooperating with an internal investigation by an employer into allegedly discriminatory conduct regardless of whether the employee filed an EEOC complaint.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 12, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Economic and Health Insecurity: A Survey of Washington Voters 18+ on Current Legislative IssuesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The extent of worry over various financial issues and measures taken due to economic changes over the past year are examined in this survey of Washington State voters. (27 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 5, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

A New Perspective on Saving for RetirementEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The concepts of saving and wealth are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues. Author John Gist explains how our standard measure of saving provides little insight into household retirement wealth accumulation and draws implications for understanding retirement preparation. (12 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - February 4, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Health Care in Florida: A Study of Current Challenges and the Support for State ReformEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Floridas health care system needs to change according to this 2007 survey of AARP Florida members. Respondents, which included oversamples of members ages 50-64, African Americans, and Hispanics, also believe that all Floridians should have access to health care.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - January 31, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Social Security State Quick Fact Sheets: 2008Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This set of fact sheets provides a one-page overview of quick facts on Social Security for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - January 27, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations

Alaskas Permanent Fund & the Future: A 2008 Survey of Alaskans Age 18+Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This November 2008 survey explores the views of registered voters in Alaska on how the Permanent Oil Trust Fund should be used now and in the future. (22 pages)
Source: AARP.org Policy and Research - January 20, 2009 Category: American Health Source Type: organizations