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Data by state on Americans 50-plus: health, financial security, housing, caregiving and more. Read
Solutions Forum: Delivering Long-Term Services and Supports
How Can States Do Better?
Solutions Forum:
Advancing Rural Health
Maximizing Nurses Impact
Solutions Forum: Launching Health Insurance Exchanges
What are states doing to create exchanges?
Solutions Forum: Improving Health Coverage for Americans 50-64
The impact of health reform—now and in the future.
Solutions Forum: Social Security and the Future of Retirement
What changes can ensure Social Security continues to play a major role in retirement security?
Learn about the policy development process at AARP, and read about AARP's positions on public issues in The Policy Book, AARP Public Policies
2011-2012. More
Faces of Chronic Care, a video produced by AARP’s Public Policy Institute, explores the difficulties faced by many older Americans with chronic health conditions as they (and their caregivers) navigate the health delivery system. Watch
PPI is home to the Center to Champion Nursing in America — a joint initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — committed to addressing the growing nursing shortage that threatens access to health care and quality of care across the nation. More

The Public Policy Institute informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age. The Institute promotes development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life.
Learn More About the Public Policy Institute
PPI Staff Expertise / Strategic Initiatives / Annual Report
Many states are turning to managed care for older Americans who need LTSS. This and other trends are revealed in a new report from PPI, NASUAD, and Health Management Associates. read
At 6.2 percent, the December unemployment rate for persons aged 55 and older was at its lowest since early 2009 but still well above what it was at the start of the recession (3.2 percent). read
This report by Stephen Schondelmeyer and AARP’s Leigh Purvis finds that retail prices for specialty prescription drugs widely used by Medicare Part D enrollees increased between 2005 and 2009. read
This report considers how to finance a system that is fair, efficient, and reliable and that promotes transportation choices for all Americans. read
A look at distributions of income, poverty, and health insurance coverage in 2010. An AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Ke Bin Wu. read
Including older, sicker patients in clinical trials would make medical research more relevant for treating these people. read
Higher heating bills will hit many older consumers this winter, especially those using fuel oil for heat. read
A report on focus groups held with older Americans who receive Medicare and Medicaid. read
A survey of state land use, housing and transportation policies and practices that promote aging in place. Written jointly with the National Conference of State Legislatures. read
This report highlights common themes from the writings of prominent authors with a focus on policies to improve support for family caregivers. read
This report by Sara Rix highlights growing concerns about current and future financial well-being. read
This AARP Public Policy Institute fact sheet by Gary Koenig and Lina Walker provides ten statistics to describe the economic security of persons age 65 and older. read
The recent recession has caused high unemployment, loss of income and savings, and lower home values. Four in ten of older Americans surveyed expect a lower standard of living in retirement than that of their parents. An Insight on the Issues report by Sara E. Rix read
A new PPI report shows utility expenditures increased for consumers over 50 while remaining flat for younger consumers. read
This report by Naomi Karp and Ryan Wilson reviews current financial services industry practices and recommends ways to improve protection of older investors. read
This report by Neal Walters explores concerns about replacing the nation’s rapidly aging water infrastructure while keeping water rates affordable for consumers. read
This AARP Public Policy Institute fact sheet by Leigh Purvis examines provisions in the Affordable Care Act that created an approval pathway for generic versions of biologic drugs, or biosimilars, but ensured that brand name biologic manufacturers are protected from this new competition for at least 12 years. read
Health care reform offers new, meaningful supports to assist family and friends in their caregiving role. This fact sheet highlights selected provisions in the Affordable Care Act that address caregivers in health care and in long-term services and supports. read
Consumers benefit when advanced practice registered nurses have hospital privileges read
Testimony by PPI’s Naomi Karp before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. read
State Housing Profiles 2011 provides a full range of data on key housing indicators for older adults in every state and the District of Columbia. read
This report highlights a drop in the percentage of homeowners over 50 who own their homes free and clear and shows rising costs for those who rent or still pay mortgages. An AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Rodney Harrell, PhD. read
This research report explains how the SEC can strengthen federal guidelines for protecting older investors. read
The numbers of older Americans in each state relying on Social Security for much of their total family income. read
Numbers of older Americans by state who would be in poverty without Social Security. read
This first-ever evaluation of state performance shows wide variation in care and support for older adults and persons with disabilities. read
This report estimates the economic value of family caregiving at $450 billion in 2009, up from $375 billion in 2007. The report also details the costs of providing family care, and provides policy recommendations to better support caregiving. read
This Fact Sheet shows state by state estimates of the economic value of family caregiving read
The 70 million Americans who live in rural areas face a significant shortage of health care providers. Registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses are delivering essential health care services as primary providers and care managers in rural areas. A Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Mary Sue Gorski. read
This report by AARP’s Naomi Karp and Charles Sabatino of the ABA looks at how states are adopting a promising program to honor the treatment goals of people with advanced illness. read
Deficit reduction commissions and some policymakers have recommended capping federal funding to some or all of the Medicaid program. This Fact Sheet by AARP’s Lynda Flowers examines the pros and cons of these proposed changes. read
A report from AARP’s Jana Lynott shows older adults make up an increasing share of the nation’s travel. They are using public transportation more and driving less than in the past. Older men outnumber women as drivers. read
AARP’s Rodney Harrell tells us that since the beginning of the recession in 2008, the number of Americans living in generational households has increased. read
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