Public Policy Priorities: Health Care and Supportive Services

Lifelong health and independence are not guaranteed. That’s why everyone needs protection to cover high costs of care that may someday be needed.

AARP believes that everyone should have access to health care coverage. We support changes in federal and state laws that will extend coverage to those who are now uninsured. In the long run, we say that universal health coverage is the best way to shore up this pillar of retirement security.

Improving Medicare

For those over age 65, Medicare guarantees access to affordable health care. Because of Medicare, people are living longer, and they don’t have to worry as much that a long illness will ruin them financially.

At AARP, we celebrate Medicare’s achievements, while we press for ways to make it better. The Medicare reforms passed in 2003 were a start—adding the option of prescription drug coverage—but more needs to be done.

In addition to improving Medicare’s coverage of medications, AARP advocates for ways to make Medicare a better value for beneficiaries and taxpayers. For instance, Medicare needs to be a better program for people with chronic conditions. It also needs to operate more costeffectively, without making access to care more difficult for beneficiaries.

Affordable Prescription Drugs

The 2003 Medicare reforms will help everyone struggling with high costs of medications—by making lowerpriced generic drugs more common, for instance. However, more needs to be done to make prescriptions more affordable for everyone. The marketplace is out of balance, and consumers are not able to make full use of their bargaining power.

They need more and better information about prescription drugs. There should be more funding of research that compares different drugs so that doctors and patients can make better decisions based on the effectiveness of a drug, not on the effectiveness of the advertising.

AARP also supports laws that give the legal option to buy safe drugs at lower prices from Canada and other countries. AARP believes that Medicaid and state programs must do their job fully—people who can’t afford their drugs should find it easy to get the help that is meant for them.

Long-Term Support and Services

Personal independence is something everybody values. We enjoy moving around our homes and communities. We like feeling healthy and strong. And, when we need help with daily living, we wish to keep our dignity; we want to reach out on our own terms.

Changing times will present some challenges forlong-term independence. Like previous generations, boomers are being called upon to care for aging parents. However, boomers can also expect to live longer into old age. Clearly their longterm independence is in doubt, unless there are big changes in the system.

At AARP, we believe that everyone should have access to safe services and support when they need help with activities of daily living. We also believe that family caregivers will continue to play a big part in supporting those who need it. Public funding should give more people the help they choose—in the place they wish to have the help. This means more money for programs in homes and communities. It also means more options and more help to keep families together and involved, without overburdening them.

In addition, we call upon the government to be serious about quality and safety. In nursing homes and private homes, and in the community, people should get highquality, appropriate care. If they don’t, providers should be accountable.

Read more about other AARP priorities:
Livable Communities
Economic Security