Levels of debt and consumers’ ability to take action to reduce financial obligations does not differ between those age 18-49 and those age 50+, although more older respondents to this national survey had retired their student loans than younger respondents. (3 pages)

This set of State Health Care Briefs provides a one-page overview of facts on health care data for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current population Surveys, this series of annual AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheets by Ke Bin Wu has been reporting the income, poverty and health Insurance status of Americans of all ages since 1995.

Medicare buy-in as part of health reform? The pros and cons of allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare before age 65 are reviewed in this brief synopsis of an AARP Public Policy Institute research report of the same name by Gerry Smolka and Sarah Thomas. (2 pages)

Medicare buy-in as part of health reform? The pros and cons of allowing older Americans to buy into Medicare before age 65 are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues by Gerry Smolka and Sarah Thomas. (14 pages)

Ways to improve Medicare payments to physicians currently being tested, as well as lessons from abroad, are examined in this brief synopsis of the AARP Public Policy Institute research report, Physician Payment: Current System and Opportunities for Reform, written by Lynn Nonnemaker, Sarah Thomas, and Joyce Dubow. (2 pages)

Older Hispanics participate in the labor force at relative high rates and are dependable and relatively healthy; nonetheless, many face substantial challenges in the workplace, working in physically demanding jobs and earning low wages and few benefits, according to this 2009 report. (77 pages)

Expansion of home and community-based long term care services can significantly help address the health care needs of many older adults, as explained in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet. (3 pages)

A May 2009 Medicare coverage decision involving genomic testing, and the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), highlight the scientific and societal ramifications of integrating genomics and genetic testing into our healthcare system, while protecting consumers, as discussed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by N. Lee Rucker. (4 pages)

One-quarter of the 45+ population reported being retired and another twenty-two percent reported it was somewhat likely that their job could be eliminated within the next year in this nationwide survey. (5 pages)

This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Leigh Purvis discusses the growing need for generic biologic drugs. (2 pages)

This AARP Public Policy Fact Sheet by Lee Rucker and Leigh Purvis explains the gap in Medicare Part D drug coverage known as the “doughnut hole,” discusses how it impacts beneficiaries, and presents options for closing the gap. (3 pages)

This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet explains how a Medicare transitional care benefit can save billions of dollars in hospital readmissions and improve health outcomes and satisfaction for millions of beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. (1 page)