In the present political milieu it seems unlikely that near-term policy action will be taken to deal with the challenges of sustaining (and perhaps enhancing) the Medicare program and financing long-term care adequately for the years when most members of the baby boom will have reached the ranks of old age. Yet, postponing action may leave us with a substantial crisis for older persons and our society several decades from now. This presentation examines political factors that bear on whether policy options for dealing with the challenges of financing Medicare and long-term care for the old-age of the baby boom can be seriously considered and perhaps adopted in the years immediately ahead. It begins with a discussion of the changing political contexts of old-age policies during the twentieth century, and how those changes are relevant to the politics of old-age policies today. Next, it looks at forces in the American political system, perennial and contemporary, that would make it difficult for a policy focused on the aging of the baby boom to be addressed in the near term. Finally, it proposes some approaches that might help a rather immediate response to the challenges of our aging society become politically feasible.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the learner in this session will be able to: 1. Identify the ways in which the political contexts of old-age polices changed during the twenieth century, and how those changes are relevant to the politics of old-age policies today. 2. Recognize the forces in the American political system, perennial and contemporary, that would make it difficult for a policy focused on the aging of the baby boom to be addressed in the near term. 3. Evaulate some approaches that might help a rather immediate response to the challenges of sustaining and improving Medicare, and adequately financing long-term care, become politically feasible
Keywords: Aging, Medicare
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.