Gerry Smolka, M.S.S.

Gerry Smolka,M.S.S.

Gerry Smolka’s recent work at AARP’s Public Policy Institute is focused on analysis and research on health reform related to expansion of coverage to older adults and health insurance market reforms.  She is representing AARP on NAIC’s Medigap PPACA Subgroup.   

Since joining the Institute in 1994 she has provided analysis and conducted and overseen research on health coverage among those age 50 to 64, Medicare-buy-in proposals, age rating, potential impact of reform on early retirees, consumer choice and health benefit design, modeling participation under different drug benefit designs, treatment of health costs in retirement planning calculators, Medicare supplemental coverage for the disabled.

Before joining AARP, she worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Massachusetts, and earlier in her career she worked as a policy researcher for private organizations, the Civil Rights Commission, and the Administration on Aging.  Five years of her research experience were in England.  She has a B.A. from Smith College and a Masters from Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research.

Areas of expertise

Health Coverage, Private Health Insurance, Retiree Health, Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Selected publications

Health Care Reform: What’s at Stake for 50 to 64 Years Olds?

Health Reform Changes Insurance Rules

A Medicare Buy-In Program

The Creation of American Health Benefit Exchanges

All publications

Contributed to “The State of 50+ America,” AARP, Washington, DC, 2004, 2005, and 2006.

G. Smolka, C. Figueredo, and L. Gross, “Health Coverage Among 50 to 64 Year-Olds in 2003,” AARP Data Digest, Washington, DC, June 2005.

G. Smolka, C. MacDougall, and C. Figueredo, “FYI:  Characteristics of Uninsured 50 to 64 Year-Olds in 2000,” AARP FYI, Washington, DC, July 2002.

Contributed to “Beyond 50.02:  A Report to the Nation on Trends in Health Security,” AARP, Washington, DC, May 2002.

G Smolka, C. MacDougall, and C. Figueredo, “Health Coverage Among 50 to 64 Year-Olds,” AARP Data Digest, Washington, DC, January 2002.

N. Tapay and G. Smolka, “Disabled Medicare Beneficiaries Under Age 65: A Review of State Efforts to Provide Access to Medicare Supplemental Insurance,” AARP, Washington, DC, October 1999.

G. Smolka, N. Brangan, and C. Figueredo, “FYI:  A Profile of Uninsured Persons Aged 62 to 64,” AARP FYI, Washington, DC, April 1998.

G. Smolka, N. Brangan, M.J. Gibson, and C. Figueredo, “Health Coverage Among Persons Age 50 Through 64.” AARP Fact Sheet, Washington, DC, January 1998.

G. Smolka, M.J. Gibson, N. Brangan, “Imposing Copayments on Medicare Home Health Users,” AARP FYI, Washington, DC, July 1997.

G. Smolka, “Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund:  The Trustees’ 1996 Annual Report,” AARP Data Digest, Washington, DC, July 1996.

S. Crystal, C. Flemming, P. Beck, G. Smolka, "The Management of Home Care Services", Springer Publishing Co., New York, N.Y., 1987.

D. Grossman and G. Smolka, “New York City's Poverty Budget,” Community Service Society, New York, N.Y., 1984.

D. Grossman and G. Smolka, “The Low Income Jewish Population of New York City,” Metropolitan Coordinating Council on Jewish Poverty and The Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, New York, N.Y., 1984.

D. Leat, G. Smolka, and J. Unell, "Voluntary Statutory Collaboration: Rhetoric or Reality?", Bedford Square Press, London, U.K., 1981.

Contributed to "The Age Discrimination Study, Part II, A Report of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights", U.S. GPO. January 1979.