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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
Recently
Released
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
December Employment: Year Ends on Encouraging Note
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
Rx Price Watch: Retail Prices Jump for Specialty Drugs
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
Transportation Funding Reform: Equity Considerations for Older Americans
This report considers how to finance a system that is fair, efficient, and reliable and that promotes transportation choices for all Americans. read
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage of Older Americans, 2010
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
Expanding Clinical Trials
Including older, sicker patients in clinical trials would make medical research more relevant for treating these people. read
Winter Heating Costs to Burden Many Older Consumers
Higher heating bills will hit many older consumers this winter, especially those using fuel oil for heat. 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
Addressing the Challenges of Family Caregiving
This report highlights common themes from the writings of prominent authors with a focus on policies to improve support for family caregivers. 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
A Snapshot of 2010 Utility Expenditures by Older Consumers
A new PPI report shows utility expenditures increased for consumers over 50 while remaining flat for younger consumers. 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
Upgrading the Nation’s Water Infrastructure While Maintaining Affordable Water Rates
This report by Neal Walters explores concerns about replacing the nation’s rapidly aging water infrastructure while keeping water rates affordable for consumers. read
Biologics in Perspective: The New Biosimilar Approval Pathway
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 Reform Law Creates New Opportunities to Better Recognize and Support Family Caregivers
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
Removing Barriers to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Care: Hospital Privileges
Consumers benefit when advanced practice registered nurses have hospital privileges read
Protecting Vulnerable Adults: Oversight and Screening of Court-Appointed Guardians
Testimony by PPI’s Naomi Karp before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts. read
State Housing Profiles: Housing Conditions and Affordability for the Older Population
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
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
Protecting Investors—Establishing the SEC Fiduciary Duty Standard
This research report explains how the SEC can strengthen federal guidelines for protecting older investors. read
How Older Americans Rely on Social Security: State-Level View
The numbers of older Americans in each state relying on Social Security for much of their total family income. read
How Social Security Fights Poverty: State-Level View
Numbers of older Americans by state who would be in poverty without Social Security. read
Raising Expectations: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports
This first-ever evaluation of state performance shows wide variation in care and support for older adults and persons with disabilities. 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
Valuing the Invaluable: 2011 Update - The Economic Value of Family Caregiving in 2009
This Fact Sheet shows state by state estimates of the economic value of family caregiving read
Advancing Health in Rural America: Maximizing Nursing’s Impact
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
Improving Advanced Illness Care: The Evolution of State POLST Programs
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
The High Cost of Capping Federal Medicaid Funding
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
How the Travel Patterns of Older Adults Are Changing: Highlights from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey
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
Multigenerational Households Are Increasing
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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