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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.
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PPI Staff Expertise / Strategic Initiatives / Annual Report
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What Medicare Beneficiaries Spend Out-of-Pocket on Health Care
Most beneficiaries spend more than $3000 of their own money each year on health care. The oldest and poorest spend about a quarter of their incomes. read
Chronic Conditions Among Older Americans
Prevalence of the top chronic health conditions among the over 50 population by race and ethnicity read
Two Million Older Workers Unemployed
The employment situation for older workers showed little improvement in April, with older jobseekers unemployed for an average of 60 weeks. read
Congressional Testimony on Reverse Mortgages
Lori Trawinski presented “Oversight of the FHA Reverse Mortgage Program for Seniors” at a May 9 hearing of the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity, U.S. House Committee on Financial Services read
Flu and Pneumonia Immunization: Disparities Persist
Medicare beneficiaries can get flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost, but many don’t. Immunization rates among older African Americans and Hispanics are lower than those for whites. read
Creating Neighborhoods Around Transit
A new PPI video shows how transit-oriented development facilitates the independence and mobility of older adults. Watch
Social Security: A Brief Overview
Key facts on Social Security coverage, benefits and financing—and a look at future prospects for the program. read
The Medicare Program: A Brief Overview
Who benefits from Medicare and what services does the program cover? This fact sheet provides an overview, along with a look at how services are delivered and how Medicare is financed. read
Moving Toward Person- and Family-Centered Care
The advantages of delivering health care and long-term services and supports in ways that address individual goals and preferences, and support family caregivers. read
Social Security: Who's Counting on It?
What long-term solvency of Social Security means for older Americans in general and specifically for women and minorities. read
Social Security: A Key Resource for Women
Social Security is particularly helpful for women who have lower lifetime earnings and, on average, tend to live longer than men. The program currently keeps almost 38 percent of older women out of poverty. read
Rx Price Watch: Retail Drug Prices Outpace Inflation
This AARP Public Policy Institute report by Stephen Schondelmeyer and AARP’s Leigh Purvis finds that the cumulative change in retail prices for a combined set of widely used prescription drugs was almost double the rate of inflation between 2005 and 2009. read
The Case for the Auto IRA
New research from economists at the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute shows adopting the Auto IRA would greatly expand retirement savings opportunities for an estimated one-quarter of the US workforce. read
Setting the Record Straight about Medicare
As the nation considers the future of Medicare, it is important to separate the facts from misconceptions about Medicare coverage, costs to beneficiaries, and efficiency of the program. read
A Call to Action: Meeting the Challenges of Family Caregiving
Ten prominent authors offer recommendations on policies and practices to improve support for family caregivers. read
Health Insurance Coverage for 50-to 64-Year-Olds
Adults 50 to 64 face higher health care out-of-pocket costs and declining access to employer-sponsored coverage. read
On the Verge: The Transformation of Long-Term Services and Supports
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
In
Focus
50+ and Worried
This report by Sara Rix highlights growing concerns about current and future financial well-being. read
How Many Older Americans Live: Ten Facts to Consider
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
Recovering from the Great Recession: Long Struggle Ahead for Older Americans
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
More From
PPI
Winter Heating Costs Burden Many Older Consumers
Heating bills remain high for many older consumers this winter, especially those using fuel oil for heat read
Expanding Clinical Trials
Including older, sicker patients in clinical trials would make medical research more relevant for treating these people. read
What Care Works Best For Dual Eligibles?
A report on focus groups held with older Americans who receive Medicare and Medicaid. read
Aging in Place: State Livability Policies and Practices
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
Protecting Older Investors with Diminished Capacity
This report by Naomi Karp and Ryan Wilson reviews current financial services industry practices and recommends ways to improve protection of older investors. read
Removing Barriers to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Care: Hospital Privileges
Consumers benefit when advanced practice registered nurses have hospital privileges read
Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 Update - The Growing Contributions and Costs of Family Caregiving
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
Protecting Investors—Establishing the SEC Fiduciary Duty Standard
This research report explains how the SEC can strengthen federal guidelines for protecting older investors. read
Housing for Older Adults: The Impacts of the Recession
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
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