AARP: Policy and Research Information for Professionals in Aging

Search Policy & Research

Advanced Search

Email Newsletter

Get updates on Policy & Research by email.

Health Care Costs and Financing

Long-Term Care in Connecticut: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
April 2008— AARP members in Connecticut want a long term care system that is affordable, easy to navigate, and provides services at home, according to this Fall 2007 survey. (19 pages)

2007 Survey of WV Residents Age 50+ on Prescription Drug Affordability  / Research Report
April 2008— West Virginia residents age 50+ are concerned about the rising cost of prescription drugs, according to this recent AARP survey, with Boomers age 50-61 being significantly more concerned than others in the 50+ population. (15 pages)

The State of Health Care in Montana: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
April 2008— Montana residents believe that the state’s health care system needs improvement, are concerned about future health care costs, and feel that access and affordability of health care should be top priorities for the governor and state legislature, according to a November-December 2007 telephone survey of registered voters age 18+.

Colorado Health Care: A Study of Voter Concerns and the Support for State Reform  / Research Report
April 2008— A majority of Colorado voters believe that all state residents should have access to affordable, quality health care and would support a sales tax increase on cigarettes and alcohol if the money were used to help ensure such access, according to this December 2007-January 2008 survey. (26 pages)

What Do the New Auto Industry VEBAs Mean for Current and Future Retirees?  / Research Report
March 2008— As health care costs increase, new auto industry agreements have substantially changed the terms of the retiree health care deal for UAW retirees. Beginning in 2010, the three U.S. automakers will no longer provide health benefits to retirees but will contribute nearly $60 billion to so-called VEBAs. A new PPI "Insight on the Issues" report by Ellen O’Brien describes the VEBAs and what they mean for retirees. (17 pages) (Publication ID: I4)

Opinions of Pennsylvanians Age 50+ on Health Care Reform  / Research Report
March 2008— The opinions of Pennsylvania’s 50+ population on health care reform were assessed in this AARP survey, as well as their experiences and concerns relative to health care access and costs. A majority of the respondents are ready for change, supporting several reform proposals. (20 pages)

New Jersey Health Care Reports  / Research Report
March 2008— The opinions of self-identified voters age 18+ in New Jersey on issues related to health care reform, quality of health care, and health care access and costs are explored in these two reports. Information is based on an AARP survey of 805 New Jersey residents conducted in December 2007-January 2008.

Improving Health Care in Iowa: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
March 2008— This telephone survey of 800 Iowa residents age 18+, who self-identified as registered voters, explores Iowans’ perception about their health, how they prioritize health care, and specific ways to improve and expand access to health care coverage. (20 pages)

The 2008 Hawaii Health and Long-Term Care Survey  / Research Report
March 2008— Hawaii self-reported registered voters age 18+ are concerned about having affordable, quality health and long-term care, according to this December 2007-January 2008 survey. Read why 62% of these voters support a proposal to develop a public long-term care insurance program. (30 pages)

Long-Term Care in Tennessee: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Likely Voters Age 18+  / Research Report
March 2008— Registered likely voters age 18+ in Tennessee are strong supporters of increasing funds for long-term care services that will allow people to remain in their own homes and communities, according to this telephone survey commissioned by AARP. (22 pages)

Rx Watchdog Report: Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Brand Name Prescription Drugs Used by Medicare Beneficiaries—2002-2007  / Research Report
March 2008— Changes in prices charged by manufacturers to wholesalers and other direct purchasers for the brand name drugs most widely used by Medicare beneficiaries are examined in this series of AARP Public Policy Institute reports.

Minnesota Health Care: A Study of Current Challenges and the Support for State Reform  / Research Report
March 2008— Although AARP members in Minnesota are more likely to be insured than those ages 50-64 in the general population, a recent survey shows that member concern around this issue is great and that they expect it to be addressed by the Governor and State Legislature. (19 pages)

Divided We Fail - Key Findings in the States  / Research Report
February 2008— These fact sheets were created to provide specific context around the two key Divided We Fail (DWF) platform principles: 1) All Americans should have access to affordable, quality health care; and 2) All Americans should have peace of mind about their future long-term financial security. All the facts presented in these sheets derive from publicly available sources such as government statistics and public opinion research. Source information is provided at the end of each document.

South Dakota Health Care: Accessible and Affordable for All  / Research Report
February 2008— Access to health care, cost of services, insurance coverage, and financial responsibility for health care are all concerns of AARP members in South Dakota, according to a September-October 2007 survey about health care reform. (18 pages)

Ohio Health Care: A Study of Current Challenges and the Support for State Reform  / Research Report
February 2008— Ohio residents believe that the Ohio health care system needs improvement, are concerned about future health care costs, and feel that access and affordability of health care should be top priorities for the Governor and State Legislature, according to a December 2007 telephone survey. (27 pages)

The State of Health Care: A Survey of New York Residents Age 50-64  / Research Report
January 2008— New York residents age 50-64 overwhelmingly agree that state policymakers should work to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality, affordable, and adequate health care coverage, according to this October 2007 telephone survey. (27 pages)

Health Care Reform and Long-Term Care: A Survey of AARP Members in New Mexico  / Research Report
January 2008— Health care costs are a major concern for AARP members in New Mexico, and 85% say it is important for the state to make health care more affordable for all residents. They are also worried about their ability to afford long-term care, which they would like to receive in their own homes. (32 pages)

Election Issues Surveys: View from the Early States  / Research Report
January 2008— The degree of attentiveness to the campaigns, the solidity of candidate preference, the issues considered important, and the rating of candidates on health care and financial security issues are examined in these telephone surveys of AARP members in Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. These surveys are not designed to determine which candidates AARP members prefer, but rather how well the candidates are presenting issues important to all Americans.

The Virgin Islands and Long-Term Care: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
December 2007— Findings from this survey show that AARP members in the Virgin Islands may experience problems paying for nursing home care in the future, may not be able to make informed choices about long term care, and would have difficulty finding appropriate and affordable long term care services in their communities. (29 pages)

Valuing the Invaluable: A New Look at State Estimates of the Economic Value of Family Caregiving (Data Update)  / Research Report
November 2007— The economic value of family caregiving at the state level is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Ari Houser and Mary Jo Gibson. These estimates provide new detail as to state variation in caregiving prevalence and the average hourly value of caregiving in each state. (8 pages) (Publication ID: DD158R)

In Brief: Comparing Long-Term Care in Germany and the United States  / Research Report
October 2007— This brief summary of a similarly titled AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Mary Jo Gibson and Donald L. Redfoot examines developments in the long-term care (LTC) systems in Germany and the United States to understand their impact on financing and coverage, consumer options and choice, family caregivers, the LTC workforce, and the quality of services. It also provides a brief overview of LTC reform proposals in both countries. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB150)

Comparing Long-Term Care in Germany and the United States: What Can We Learn from Each Other?  / Research Report
October 2007— This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Mary Jo Gibson and Donald L. Redfoot examines developments in the long-term care (LTC) systems in Germany and the United States to understand their impact on financing and coverage, consumer options and choice, family caregivers, the LTC workforce, and the quality of services. It also provides a brief overview of LTC reform proposals in both countries. (68 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-19)

Paying for Hospice Care  / Research Report
October 2007— Medicare spent $6.4 billion on hospice care in 2004, and spending is projected to increase at an annual rate of 9 percent through 2015. This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, written by Jean Accius, examines recently published data on the characteristics of older adults who utilize hospice services. Topics discussed include the rising number of hospice users, the growth in the number of Medicare certified hospice facilities, and the projected costs for Medicare. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS81R)

In Brief: Exploring the Role of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Government Regulations  / Research Report
September 2007— A succinct summary of the AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper in which cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis used for assessing the economic impact of federal regulations are examined by Drew Laughland, A. Myrick Freeman III, Calvin Franz, Aylin Sertkaya of Eastern Research Group and Keith D. Lind of PPI. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB145)

Exploring the Role of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Government Regulations  / Research Report
September 2007— Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis are used in assessing the economic impact of federal regulations. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper, Drew Laughland, A. Myrick Freeman III, Calvin Franz, Aylin Sertkaya of Eastern Research Group and Keith D. Lind of PPI examine the debate over how key factors, such as age, can affect the results of these analyses. (78 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-14)

Health Care Reform in California: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
August 2007— Support for health care reform proposals developed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislative leaders to assure all Californians access to quality, affordable care remains high among California AARP members. This August 2007 AARP telephone survey of 802 members finds 65 percent calling it important to pass a health care reform bill this year. (15 pages)

2007-2008 AARP Key Legislative Priorities: A Survey of Likely Voters in North Carolina  / Research Report
July 2007— Likely Tar Heel State voters’ thoughts about six issues important to AARP, which are being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly during its 2007-08 session, are examined in this March 2007 telephone survey of 626 voters with a history of having voted in general elections in the last three years. (12 pages)

Divided We Fail Research Reports  / Research Report
June 2007— Reports of research conducted by or for AARP about or pertaining to the Divided We Fail campaign may be accessed directly via the links on this page.

Biologics in Perspective: Expanded Clinical Options amid Greater Cost Scrutiny  / Research Report
June 2007— Once rarely prescribed, biologic drugs have rapidly become a more common treatment option despite very high costs. Biologic costs by medical condition, and federal legislation that would create an approval pathway within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for generic biologics are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Lee Rucker. (4 pages) (Publication ID: FS136)

Future of Medicare: Report on Expert Views Partial List of Interviewees  / Research Report
May 2007— Future of Medicare: Report on Expert Views Partial List of Interviewees

In Brief: Future of Medicare: Report on Expert Views  / Research Report
May 2007— A succinct summary of the similarly titled AARP Public Policy Issue Paper in which Keith D. Lind and Jackson T. Williams report findings from off-the-record interviews with 20 national health policy experts about future directions for the structure and financing of the Medicare program over the next 10 to 20 years. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB144)

Future of Medicare: Report on Expert Views  / Research Report
May 2007— Findings from off-the-record interviews with 20 national health policy experts about future directions for the structure and financing of the Medicare program over the next 10 to 20 years are reported in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Keith D. Lind and Jackson T. Williams. (28 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-12)

Health Coverage among 50- to 64-Year-Olds  / Research Report
May 2007— These AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digests explore how Americans age 50-64 get health coverage, how coverage shifts with retirement, and characteristics of those who buy their own coverage or are uninsured.

FYI: Characteristics of Uninsured 50- to 64-Year-Olds in California  / Research Report
May 2007— Various characteristics of uninsured Californians age 50 to 64 are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute report by Gerry Smolka, Leigh Purvis and Carlos Figueiredo. (6 pages) (Publication ID: FYI)

FYI: Characteristics of Uninsured 50- to 64-Year-Olds in Wisconsin  / Research Report
May 2007— Various characteristics of uninsured Wisconsin residents age 50 to 64 are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute report by Gerry Smolka, Leigh Purvis and Carlos Figueiredo. (4 pages) (Publication ID: FYI)

FYI: Characteristics of Uninsured and Underinsured 50- to 64-Year-Olds  / Research Report
May 2007— These AARP Public Policy Institute papers provide a snapshot of the employment status, income, out-of-pocket health expenditures, health status, and health spending burdens of Americans age 50–64 who are uninsured or underinsured.

Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable - Tough Choices: AARP Member Surveys  / Research Report
April 2007— The concerns of AARP members in several states regarding prescription drug affordability, out-of-pocket costs and financial hardships associated with paying are examined in this series of December 2006 telephone surveys of 800 members in each state. Opinions about programs to lower prescription drug prices and consumers’ costs across each state are also gauged.

Divided We Fail: Key Findings in Nevada  / Research Report
April 2007— Highlights of local perspectives and opinions from Nevada about health care costs and insurance, prescription drugs, retirement savings and other key issues addressed by AARP in the Divided We Fail campaign are capsulized in this state-level fact sheet. (2 pages)

Divided We Fail: Key Findings in South Carolina  / Research Report
April 2007— Highlights of local perspectives and concerns from South Carolina about health care costs and insurance, prescription drugs, retirement savings and other key issues addressed by AARP in the Divided We Fail campaign are capsulized in this state-level fact sheet. (2 pages)

Health Care in Wisconsin: An AARP Survey of Residents Age 18 to 64  / Research Report
April 2007— While 95 percent of age 18 to 64 Wisconsinites in this March 2007 AARP telephone survey consider themselves to be in relatively good health, 49 percent feel the state’s health care system isn’t, and 13 percent say it’s in critical condition and needs intensive care. (22 pages)

Divided We Fail: Key Findings in Iowa  / Research Report
April 2007— Highlights of local perspectives and opinions from Iowa about gridlock in Washington, health care costs and insurance, prescription drugs, retirement savings and other key issues addressed by AARP in the Divided We Fail campaign are capsulized in this state-level fact sheet. (2 pages)

AARP 2006 Prescription Drug Study with Hispanics and African Americans  / Research Report
April 2007— State legislative actions to adopt preferred drug lists and purchase prescription drugs in bulk are strongly supported by Hispanics and African Americans surveyed by AARP in December 2006. The telephone survey of 2,000 age 18+ Hispanics and African Americans reveals their widespread concern about being able to pay for medications over the next two years. (53 pages)

AARP Segunda Juventud Assisted Living and Long-Term Care Study  / Research Report
March 2007— Few 40-plus Hispanics have experienced long-term care in a professional facility for themselves or their family. However, many have had someone in their family who required care at home from a family member, friend, or health care professional, according to this March 2007 AARP telephone survey of 551 age 40+ Hispanics. (12 pages)

AARP - Iowa Divided We Fail Survey  / Research Report
March 2007— A majority of Iowa registered Democrats and Republicans strongly support health care availability for all Americans, an affordable long-term care system, and strengthened laws against age discrimination, according to this March 2007 telephone survey of 400 Iowa residents registered to vote as either Republicans or Democrats.

Disease Management in Fee-for-Service Medicaid Programs  / Research Report
March 2007— States are exploring Disease Management (DM) as a possible way to improve the quality of care and cut Medicaid costs. This AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by Lynda Flowers focuses on DM program design options and the challenges associated with the development, implementation and evaluation of DM programs in fee-for-service Medicaid. (13 pages) (Publication ID: IB81)

Trends in Manufacturer Prices of Prescription Drugs Used by Older Americans  / Research Report
March 2007— Changes in manufacturer's prices for the prescription drugs most widely used by Americans age 50+ are investigated in this series of AARP Public Policy Institute (PPI) reports by David J. Gross and Leigh Gross of PPI and Stephen W. Schondelmeyer of the PRIME Institute of the University of Minnesota.

Survey of AARP Nevada Members  / Research Report
February 2007— This mail survey was conducted by AARP to explore AARP Nevada members' personal concerns and the issues they view as top legislative priorities for AARP Nevada to work on with the State, as well as volunteerism, work or career and retirement plans, health care needs and expenditures, and utility/energy costs and services.

Slot Machines in Maryland  / Research Report
February 2007— A telephone survey of 801 Maryland residents age 50+ revealed that half strongly or somewhat supported expanding the state lottery, while 60 percent supported legalizing slot machines if revenues were used to avoid state budget cuts. Respondents wanted to see revenue from slot machines used for home- and community-based services, prescription drug assistance, education, long-term care, and transportation. (12 pages)

Survey of AARP Montana Members: Personal Concerns and Legislative Issues  / Research Report
February 2007— Opinions about – and personal experiences with - health care coverage, prescription drug costs, energy and utilities service, identity theft, financial investing, and what issues they feel should be AARP’s legislative priorities in their state are explored in this November 2006 mail survey of 1,072 AARP Montana members. (37 pages)

Medicare Price Negotiation of Prescription Drugs - A National Poll: February 12, 2007  / Research Report
February 2007— When this late January 2007 AARP national poll asked 1,000 age 18+ Americans if Medicare should be allowed to negotiate prescription drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, 87 percent said yes, and 61 percent think Congress should make the issue a top priority. (13 pages)

AARP New York Election Survey: Prescription Drugs -- Executive Summary for State Senate District 7  / Research Report
January 2007— The extent of concern among 400 age 50+ New York residents about the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs, their support for legislative proposals to help make medications more affordable and how this could influence their choices in the Special Election being held in State Senate District 7 on February 6th, 2007, are examined in this January 2007 AARP telephone survey. (13 pages)

AARP Oregon Member Opinion Poll  / Research Report
January 2007— Health and financial security dominate this December 2006 telephone survey of AARP members in Oregon about their concerns and opinions regarding specific legislative issues with which the state is and will be wrestling. (18 pages)

In Brief: Population Aging, Entitlement Growth, and the Economy  / Research Report
January 2007— A succinct summary of the similarly titled AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper in which John Gist examines the fiscal effects of America’s demographic transformation, whether the U.S. can afford its aging society, and what can be done to sustain the economic security of an aging population while maintaining a healthy economy. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB135)

Population Aging, Entitlement Growth, and the Economy  / Research Report
January 2007— The “graying” of America has alarmed many experts who foresee the future cost of federal health and retirement programs creating huge federal deficits and jeopardizing long-term economic growth. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper, John Gist examines what can be done to sustain the economic security of our aging population while maintaining a healthy economy. (64 pages) (Publication ID: 2007-01)

In Brief: A Growing Crisis in Health and Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Persons with Disabilities: Changes from 2002-2005  / Research Report
December 2006— A succinct summary of the AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper of the same name in which Mary Jo Gibson presents survey results showing increasing concern among older persons with disabilities about the cost of health care and help with basic daily activities. Other findings also reveal almost no good news in these individuals’ quality of life. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB133)

A Growing Crisis in Health and Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Persons with Disabilities: Changes from 2002-2005  / Research Report
December 2006— Concerns about the cost of health care and help with basic daily activities are increasing among older persons with disabilities, according to this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Mary Jo Gibson. Other findings also reveal almost no good news in these individuals’ quality of life. (30 pages) (Publication ID: 2006-26)

The Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions Versus Reality in 2006 -- AARP Fact Sheet  / Research Report
December 2006— These key findings from the similarly titled AARP report show that, in the five years since AARP's original survey, age 45+ Americans' perception of long-term care costs is essentially unchanged and they still know less about it than they think they do. (2 pages)

AARP Election Watch 2006: Pulse of a Generation  / Research Report
November 2006— Of 1,500 age 42+ likely voters surveyed between October 23rd and 29th, 2006 by AARP, 83 percent are seriously considering the rising budget deficit in their voting decisions, and 76 percent are likely to vote for candidates supporting increased domestic spending while 47 percent favor and 40 percent oppose creating a national sales tax to fund healthcare for children and the uninsured.

Legislative Issues in Maryland: A Survey of Self-Identified Registered Voters Age 50 Plus  / Research Report
October 2006— Views and concerns about state legislative issues regarding crime, economic security and health care are explored in this October 2006 AARP telephone survey of 802 self-identified age 50+ registered Maryland voters. (24 pages)

AARP New York Election Survey: Prescription Drugs – Executive Summaries for State Senate District 2, 3, 35, and 49  / Research Report
October 2006— The extent of concern among 400 age 50+ residents in each of four New York State Senate Districts about the rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs, their support for legislative proposals to help make medications more affordable and how this could influence their choices in the November 2006 elections are examined in these October 2006 AARP telephone surveys.

Follow the Money: Payment Reform as the Key to Health Reform  / Research Report
October 2006— Considering the role of money in medicine in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper, David M. Cutler of Harvard University argues that the quality and efficiency of health care can be improved through the use of incentives that orient reimbursement toward health improvement, rather than just paying for services provided. (28 pages) (Publication ID: 2006-24)

Health Insurance Coverage and Costs at Older Ages: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study  / Research Report
September 2006— How changes in employer retiree health plans are affecting individuals is analyzed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Richard W. Johnson of the Urban Institute. Health coverage and costs among early retirees and those on Medicare, and the role played by employer-sponsored retiree health benefits are examined. (67 pages) (Publication ID: 2006-20)

Common Ground for America’s Future: The Opinions of AARP Members in Tennessee About National Election Issues in 2006  / Research Report
July 2006— Assuring Social Security’s future, allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, financing individuals’ long-term care, and making health insurance coverage available are among the issues examined in this report of a June 2006 telephone survey of AARP members in Tennessee. (42 pages)

Common Ground on the Future: National and Iowa Member Opinion About 2006 Election Issues  / Research Report
July 2006— National and State of Iowa AARP member opinions on major issues for the November 2006 elections are explored in this report of a recent national telephone survey of AARP members around the nation, across Iowa, and in Iowa’s Congressional District #1. AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH. (19 pages)

Maine Legislative Issues: A Survey of AARP Members  / Research Report
June 2006— Opinions and priorities regarding consumer protection, health care, and older worker employment issues are examined in these three reports from the 2005 mail survey of 1,347 AARP Maine members.

Medicaid Estate Recovery  / Research Report
May 2006— The federal government requires all states to implement Medicaid estate recovery programs to recoup costs of long-term care and other related Medicaid services. This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Wendy Fox-Grage provides the latest information on amounts recovered, types of enrollees subject to recovery, exemptions and deferrals, liens, and key consumer protections. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS127)

2005 AARP Puerto Rico Social Impact Survey  / Research Report
April 2006— Experiences, opinions and concerns regarding the cost and affordability of the prescription drugs they take, the utilities they use, the livability of their communities, home modification, property tax burdens and long-term care are explored in this Summer 2005 telephone survey of 1,010 age 50+ residents of Puerto Rico.

Prescription Drug Issues on Long Island: An AARP Survey  / Research Report
April 2006— Support for proposed consumer protection measures regarding prescription drugs are examined in this late 2005 telephone survey of 800 AARP members in Nassau and Suffolk counties on New York’s Long Island, home to the largest concentration of AARP members in the Empire state. AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH (15 pages).

State Profiles: Reforming the Health Care System 2005, 13th Ed.  / Research Report
February 2006— 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) (Publication ID: D18258)

Prescription Drug Affordability: AARP Survey of Hispanic New Yorkers  / Research Report
February 2006— Hispanic New Yorkers are adamant supporters of legislation that would address prescription drug affordability by allowing the state to implement a preferred drug list and to establish a bulk purchasing program. The telephone survey was conducted in November 2005 among age 18+ individuals in the New York City metropolitan area who identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino. (15 pages)

Health Policies and Trends in OECD Countries  / Event
March 2006— AARP Global Aging Program Idea Exchange with Peter Scherer, Head of the Health Division, Employment and Social Affairs Directorate, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Prescription Drug Affordability: An AARP Poll of 18+ Idahoans  / Research Report
March 2006— Support for public posting of prescription drug prices and for advocates to assist the uninsured in accessing free and low-cost prescription drug programs is gauged in this December 2005 survey of age 18+ Idaho residents. (12 pages)

2005 Survey of Colorado AARP Members  / Research Report
December 2005— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Long-term care, prescription drug, and natural gas utility issues are examined in this 2005 mail survey of 956 Colorado AARP members.

2005 Survey of Arkansas AARP Members  / Research Report
December 2005— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Long-term care, prescription drug, and payday lending issues are examined in this 2005 mail survey of 1,004 Arkansas AARP members.

Health Care in Vermont: Support for Universal Coverage  / Research Report
October 2005— Escalating health care costs concern Vermont residents, most of whom (88%) have some kind of health insurance coverage. This report presents findings from a June 2005 AARP survey of Vermont residents on their experiences with health insurance in the state. (27 pages)

Balancing the State Budget and Maintaining Health and Long-term Care Funding in California: A Public Opinion Poll  / Research Report
August 2005— Most Californians (90%) think it is important that the state maintain current levels of funding for health and long-term care services even in light of the state’s budget deficit, according to a 2005 AARP telephone survey of 1,200 California residents age 18 and over. (10 pages)

Original Medicare Cost-Sharing Requirements, 2005  / Research Report
February 2005— An overview of Medicare’s cost-sharing requirements, including deductibles and coinsurance, for Part A- and Part B-covered services in 2005 are presented in easy-to-read table format in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Craig Caplan. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS104)

Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey of Mississippi AARP Members  / Research Report
December 2004— AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: How the state might generate money for health and long-term care services and the importance of restoring health care coverage for the low-income elderly and people with disabilities are explored in this telephone survey of 800 AARP members in Mississippi. (17 pages)

The Medicaid Matching Formula: Policy Considerations and Options for Modification  / Research Report
September 2004— The formula for allocating federal Medicaid funds among states and options for making it more responsive to state economic conditions are described by Vic Miller of Federal Funds Information for States and Andy Schneider of Medicaid Policy, LLC, in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper. (63 pages) (Publication ID: 2004-09)

Out-of-Pocket Spending on Health Care by Medicare Beneficiaries Age 65 and Older in 2003  / Research Report
September 2004— How much age 65+ Medicare beneficiaries paid out of their own pockets for health care in 2003 is projected by Craig Caplan and Normandy Brangan in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest, which also highlights out-of-pocket spending differences by demographic characteristics, income level, supplemental coverage status, and type of service. (8 pages) (Publication ID: DD101)

Health care in OECD countries: Can we do better without increasing cost pressure?  / Opinion
May 2004— Donald Johnston, Secretary General of the OECD, argues that "something will have to give: less generous public financed health systems, or higher taxes on the working population."

Tough Choices Ahead: An AARP Iowa Revenue Survey of Residents 18+  / Research Report
March 2004— Most age 18+ Iowans support raising revenues--especially sin taxes--as a way to help balance the state's 2004-2005 budget and avoid cuts in health care and long-term care services for older persons and people with disabilities. (23 pages)

Into the Black: A Survey of Virginia Voters on State Service Cuts and Tax Changes  / Research Report
March 2004— Registered age 18+ Virginia voters’ opinions about cuts to spending on state services and changes to the tax system as potential ways to address the state’s budget gap are explored in this AARP survey. (29 pages)

Press Briefing on AARP’s Prescription Drug Affordability Campaign and 2004 Advocacy Agenda  / Speech
January 2004— AARP CEO Bill Novelli briefs the press on AARP’s Prescription Drug Affordability Campaign.

State Profiles: Reforming the Health Care System 2003  / Research Report
December 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) (Publication ID: D17984)

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs in Hawai'i: A 2003 Survey of Residents Age 18+  / Research Report
December 2003— The importance of – and support for – implementation of two state-funded prescription drug programs is gauged in this survey of 1,002 age 18+ people in Hawai’i. The study also broadly assesses the need for prescription drug assistance among Hawai’i residents by examining the out-of-pocket expense and financial burden that buying medications may create for some people. (26 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing Kentucky's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
October 2003— How do age 18+ Kentucky residents feel about increasing the state’s 3-cent per pack cigarette tax to generate money for health and long-term care services in response to falling state revenues and rising costs? Of those surveyed, 70 percent support increasing the tax to 28 cents per pack, and are evenly divided over increasing it to 78 cents. (15 pages)

Prescription Drug Prices in Canada  / Research Report
June 2003— The extent to which prescription drugs are less expensive in Canada than in the United States and the factors that account for their prices being lower are among the topics covered in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by David Gross. (22 pages) (Publication ID: IB62)

Maintaining Health and Human Services with Diminishing Resources: A Survey of Ohio Voters  / Research Report
March 2003— It is important to 89 percent of age 18+ Ohio voters that the state maintain current levels of funding for human services. And, even if they themselves are not currently personally eligible, 86 percent say it is important that Ohio maintain current levels of funding that help people obtain such services. (26 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing Iowa's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
February 2003— To help finance – and prevent cutbacks to – health and long-term care services for which they believe there is not enough money in the state budget, 59 percent of age 18+ Iowans support raising the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to $1.36 a pack. (17 pages)

Support for Maintaining Health and Long-term Care Programs: A Survey of Oregonians Age 35+  / Research Report
January 2003— Opinions about measures to prevent across the board cuts in health and long-term care and related services due to budget shortfalls are examined in this random telephone survey of 1,000 age 35+ Oregonians. (19 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing Virginia's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
December 2002— Facing a $2 billion shortfall in the State budget, 61 percent of Virginians age 18 and over say they would support increasing Virginia's cigarette tax from 2.5 cents per pack to 62.5 cents per pack in order to maintain current funding for health and long-term care services. (20 pages)

Prescriptions and Your Pocketbook: An AARP Pennsylvania Study  / Research Report
November 2002— Prescription drug prices vary widely across Pennsylvania. The variation is most dramatic for Prilosec, where the prices may vary by as much as $26. Mega-discount and club stores frequently have lower prescription drug prices. (77 pages)

Prescription Drug Costs and the Role of Generic Drugs: Public Opinion Among Americans Aged 45 and Over  / Research Report
October 2002— How do age 45+ Americans feel about rising drug costs and the role of generic drugs? Key findings from a September 2002 AARP survey about the use of generic drugs, the impact of rising drug prices on employer-provided healthcare coverage and public support for legislation to increase the availability of generic drugs. (7 pages)

Maintaining Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Arkansas' Food, Medicine, and Soda Pop Tax  / Research Report
October 2002— While the majority of registered Arkansas voters age 18+ oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate state taxes on food, non-prescription medications and soda pop, thereby reducing the funding of state services including health and long-term care, they would favor increasing taxes on alcohol and cigarettes to make up the difference if the amendment passes. (17 pages)

What Share of Beneficiaries' Total Health Care Costs Does Medicare Pay?  / Research Report
September 2002— Total personal health care expenditures in 2000 for the Medicare population in the aggregate are projected in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Craig Caplan, who identifies the sources of payment for these expenditures and examines how sources for elderly beneficiaries differ from those for younger beneficiaries with disabilities. (6 pages) (Publication ID: DD78)

West Virginia Prescription Drug Survey: An AARP Study  / Research Report
August 2002— More than half of West Virginians age 60 and older report having experienced problems paying for the prescription medications they need, and two-thirds support the state developing a more comprehensive prescription drug plan, even if the plan required a greater commitment of state resources. (20 pages).

Maintaining Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Addressing the Revenue Shortfall in California  / Research Report
June 2002— Most Californians age 18 and older consider it important to maintain current levels of state funding for health and long-term care services - 71 percent support an increase in the state's tax on tobacco products, 67 percent favor reinstating its 10 and 11 percent income tax brackets for high income taxpayers. (14 pages)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing North Carolina's Cigarette and Alcohol Taxes  / Research Report
May 2002— Most North Carolinians age 18 and older oppose spending cuts to health and long-term care services to balance the state budget, but 62% support raising the state's 5 cents a pack cigarette tax to 30 cents and 82% support an additional alcohol tax to generate funds for such services. (17 pages)

Beyond 50.02: A Report to the Nation on Trends in Health Security  / Research Report
May 2002— 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. (Publication ID: D17682)

Funding Health and Long-Term Care: A Survey on Increasing South Carolina's Cigarette Tax  / Research Report
February 2002— Most South Carolinians age 18 and older are in favor of increasing funding for health and long-term care services, and support raising the state's cigarette tax from 7 cents to 51 cents a pack to fund such services. (10 pages)

Trends In The Costs, Coverage, And Use Of Prescription Drugs By Medicare Beneficiaries  / Research Report
July 2001— Prescription drugs have become an increasingly important and costly element of health care. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest, David Gross reports on issues and provides supporting data relating to Medicare beneficiaries' use of and access to prescription drugs. (4 pages) (Publication ID: DD63)

Medicare+Choice: Payment Issues in Rural and Low Payment Areas  / Research Report
April 2001— How well have government efforts to encourage HMOs offer services to Medicare beneficiaries in low payment and rural areas worked? An AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest analysis by Joyce Dubow. (6 pages) (Publication ID: DD60)

Paying for Hospice Care  / Fact Sheet
December 2000— Who pays for hospice care? In this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, Stephanie Bernell and Steven R. Gregory review sources of U.S. hospice care expenditures with particular emphasis on Medicare. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS81)

FYI: The Cost of Prescription Drugs: Who Needs Help?  / Research Report
October 2000— Data on out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs by poor and low-income beneficiaries, as well as by beneficiaries with modest incomes are reviewed by Normandy Brangan and Mary Jo Gibson in this AARP Public Policy Institute FYI report. Also covered are differences in out-of-pocket drug spending between beneficiaries with and without drug coverage. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FYI)

Medical Savings Accounts  / Fact Sheet
May 2000— What MSAs are. Who can purchase them. How their savings account component is taxed. Common arguments for and against the use of MSAs. An AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by William F. Decker. (4 pages) (Publication ID: FS80)

FYI: Out-of-Pocket Spending on Prescription Drugs by Women and Men Age 65 and Older: 1999 Projections  / Research Report
April 2000— Out-of-pocket spending on--and coverage for--Rx medication are compared by gender in this AARP Public Policy Institute FYI Report by Mary Jo Gibson and Lisa A. Foley. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FYI)

FYI: Medicare's Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments  / Research Report
August 1998— This AARP Public Policy Institute FYI written by Craig Caplan provides a concise overview of Medicare's disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments. Topics include why and how Medicare makes DSH payments; the magnitude of these payments; some criticisms of the current payment system; and related Balanced Budget Act changes. (1 page) (Publication ID: FYI)

Press Center | Events | Policy & Research | NRTA | TV | Radio | States | AARP en Español

About AARP | Help | Contact AARP | Careers | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Advertise with AARP | Site Map

Copyright 1995–2008, AARP. All rights reserved.