Healthcare Providers Gather to Address Economic Crisis

All Alabamians are suffering the emotional and financial effects of the recent economic downturn, but probably none so much as the older population. Many have lost retirement income from investments, pensions and other sources. Health benefits are being cut by employers and government sources, and many are facing a return to work when unemployment rates are among their highest in decades.

In an effort to find solutions for the healthcare providers serving older Alabamians, AARP recently joined with the Center for Aging at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy to host the Second Annual UAB Aging Policy Conference: Impact of the Economic Crisis on Older Adults' Health and Health Services.

More than 100 individuals attended the half day session and heard presentations from AARP's Dr. Harry "Rick" Moody, and representatives from the Harvard Medical School's Department of Health Care Policy, The Urban Institute in Washington, UAB's Lister Hill Center for Health Policy, as well as the Director of the Alabama Medicaid Agency, who also serves as Chair of the National Association of State Medicaid Directors.

The event's focus was helping healthcare providers address the economic climate’s effect on health care services for older adults; the implications of the current social and economic context on the health of older adults; the challenges faced by Medicaid and Medicare and possible changes under the Obama administration.

According to Bill Hawkins, AARP Alabama associate state director for advocacy outreach, AARP saw the conference as one more way to serve the needs of older Alabamians.

“It was important for us to hold these meetings as we're dealing with a severe economic crisis. This crisis affects not only the financial stability of older Alabamians and their families, but also their expectations for the future and their daily emotions.

“At the same time, healthcare providers are being affected financially, so they are cutting services at a time when they are most needed. The meeting brought together all sides of this issue to try to find ways to address the problems by working together for the good of all Alabamians,” Hawkins said.