
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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Recently
Released
August 2010
Rx Price Watch Report: Tracking Retail Price Changes for Widely Used Prescription Drugs
These AARP Public Policy Institute reports are a new iteration of our Rx Watchdog report series that has been tracking manufacturer price changes for widely used prescription drugs since 2004. read
August 2010
The Employment Situation, July 2010: Little Changed Since June
According to a new PPI Fact Sheet by Sara E. Rix, the unemployment rate for persons aged 55 and over remained unchanged at 6.9 percent in July. Duration of unemployment also remained unchanged. read
August 2010
Quick Health Facts 2010: A Compilation of Selected State Data
A compilation of selected state data on older Americans read
July 2010
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage of Older Americans, 2008
According to a new PPI Fact Sheet by Ke Bin Wu of the AARP Public Policy Institute, median income declined significantly in 2008. The official poverty rate increased for all age groups except for persons age 65 or older. However, a more accurate measure of poverty was double the official rate for older Americans in 2008. read
June 2010
Affordable Home Energy and Health: Making the Connections
Adequate and affordable home energy use helps older adults and people of all ages maintain both economic security and good health. read
May 2010
Annuities and Other Lifetime Income Products: Their Current and Future Role in Retirement Security
This AARP Public Policy Institute fact sheet by Sandy Mackenzie and other AARP staff presents initial results of a survey of older Americans on the role that annuities play in pension plans. Older workers are definitely interested in annuities, and many retirees might have been interested had they been available. read
May 2010
Rx Watchdog Report: Brand Name Drug Prices Continue to Climb Despite Low General Inflation Rate
This report finds that average manufacturer price increases for brand name and specialty prescription drugs widely used by Medicare beneficiaries continued to far outstrip the price increases for other consumer goods and services in the 12 months ending with March 2010. In contrast, average manufacturer prices fell for widely used generic drugs. read
April 2010
Preventing the Misleading Use of Senior Designations—What States Should Do
Financial services salespeople often use so-called senior designations to differentiate themselves and show they are experts in retirement investing or investing by older customers. States should adopt and enforce both the NASAA and NAIC model rules that regulate the use of these designations. read
April 2010
Health Reform Legislation: Key Facts
Recent health care reform legislation will greatly increase the availability of health insurance and broadly impact the delivery of health care in America. These fact sheets look specifically at how the legislation affects aspects of Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance and coverage, the health care delivery system, prevention, long term care options, and the primary care workforce. read
April 2010
Older Americans in Poverty: A Snapshot
This report examines the persistent problem of elderly poverty in the United States; provides key data on older adults in poverty—who they are, where they live, and the challenges they face affording basics like food, housing, and health care—and looks at proposals to modernize the official poverty measure. read
In
Focus
March 2010
Strategies to Meet the Housing Needs of Older Adults
This report discusses some of the housing challenges facing older adults and explores strategies that, if pursued, would better enable them to remain in their homes and communities as they age. read
March 2009
Beyond 50.09 Chronic Care: A Call to Action for Health Reform
A fresh look at problems faced by millions of older Americans with multiple chronic conditions and recommendations for improving chronic care in the context of health reform. read
Initiatives
November 2009
Professional Partners Supporting Family Caregivers - Phase II: Implementing Best Practices
National organizations release a report redefining provision of good patient care to include increased professional support for family members and friends who provide ongoing care for older adults. read
September 2008
Professional Partners Supporting Family Caregivers - Phase I: Redefining Good Patient Care
Launch of a new three year project to implement best practices in the fields of nursing and social work that effectively support the work of family caregivers for older adults. read
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