Congressional Voting Record (2008) on Aging Related Issues

Alliance for Retired Americans has released the voting record of the Congress on 10 major issues:

Retiree Stimulus

Part D Premiums Increase

Social Security Privatization

Long Term Care Workers

Undermine Health Insurance

Drug Reimportation

Medicare Cloture, Medicare Improvements, Medicare Veto Override

Retiree Programs Funding

Full document is available
Press release

Increasing Participation in Benefit Programs for Low-Income Seniors

The Commonwealth Fund's report discusses was to assist low-income elders in getting the health care they need. This can be done by simplifying and aligning eligibility rules and enrollment procedures; using a one-on-one approach to outreach and enrollment; investing in information technology; and providing support for ongoing outreach and enrollment activities.

Full report is available

Medicare Advantage Plans

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Health Policy Brief adds to the discussion on the economic issues surrounding Medicare Advantage plans. It examines the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's proposal to calculate the payments
differently, in order to eliminate the extra cost of Medicare Advantage and to slow Medicare’s growing costs.

Health Policy Brief is available

Do the Best Nursing Homes Have to Be Expensive?

U.S. News and World Report's editorial discusses the cost of nursing homes in relation to the notion of best care. It references the Genworth Financial report previously mentioned here.

Editorial is avaiable
U.S. News and World Report Best Nursing Homes Website

The Continuing Cost of Privatization: Extra Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans Jump to $11.4 Billion in 2009

The Commonwealth Fund discusses the increase in funding to Medicare Advantage plans, that resulted in MA plans being paid more for their enrollees than they would be expected to cost in traditional fee-for-service Medicare. In 2009, these plans will cost 13% more than traditional Medicare.

Full report is available

Social Security: Ten Facts that Matter

AARP's Research Report discusses ten important facts regarding Social Security and its future, including:

SSI as a benefit for all ages

SSI as an important benefit for women and minorities

SSI as the foundation for retirement security

Full report is available

2009 Cost of Care: Long Term Care Survey

Genworth Financial has issued their yearly survey on the cost of long term care throughout the United States. Along with a full report and maps, the website provides state-by-state analysis of long term care costs.

Compare Cost of Care Across the United States website
Full survey is available
Discussion by U.S. News and World Report

Housing for the 55+ Market: Trends and Insights on Boomers and Beyond

MetLife Mature Market Institute's report analyzes where older people live, characteristics of their communities and their overall satisfaction with them, and the types of communities that the 55+ market prefers. The report also looks at recent 55+ movers, finding out why they moved and from where, as well as other key demographic information, such as household size, education, race, and income.

Full report is available
Commentary from MarketWatch

The Role of Health Care Spending in Projecting Federal Elderly Entitlement Spending

National Center for Policy Analysis presents a study that analyzes projected spending for Medicare and Social Security over the next 75 years.

Full report is available

Residential and Community Aged Care in Australia

The Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration of The Senate of Australia has issued a report, examining the funding, planning, allocation, capital and equity of residential and community aged care in Australia.
Full report is available