New AARP Research Analyzes Three Issues Key To Comprehensive Health Reform, USA

As the health care reform debate intensifies
across the country, AARP today released three new
reports on major issues to health care reform. The
AARP reports analyze health plan designs, cost shifting
for expensive "specialty" drugs, and the access to
coverage for Americans age 50-64.



"The President and Congressional leaders have made it clear
that health reform must happen this year, and we're working
with them to make sure it improves options for older
Americans who currently face enormous obstacles in the
private market, as well as strengthens lifeline programs
like Medicare," said AARP Policy Director John Rother.
"This important research can inform the debate to help our
elected officials make smart decisions that ensure every
American has access to quality, affordable health care."



The three reports released today are:



"Health Care Reform: What's at Stake for 50- to 64-year-
olds?" - This report by AARP's Public Policy Institute
analyzes recent data on the fastest growing segment of the
uninsured population. Key findings include that more than
a quarter (28%) of Americans age 50-64 spend more than 10%
of their income on health care-more than one-and-a-half times
as many as younger Americans. The complete report is available
here.



"How Consumer Choice Affects Health Coverage Plan Design" -
A key challenge of health care reform will be designing new
coverage programs for people who are currently without access.
This AARP Public Policy Institute report uses employer
experience with health coverage to illustrate the trade-offs
and issues in designing benefit packages. The complete report
is available here.



"The Tier 4 Phenomenon: Shifting the High Cost of Drugs to
Consumers" - Study of the practice of shifting massive costs
to patients in the form of percentage co-insurance-as opposed
to fixed-dollar co-pays-for super expensive "miracle" drugs.
This report is especially timely given anticipated
developments of legislation to create a pathway to create
generic biologics. The complete report is available
here.



For more information, please visit aarp.



AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that
helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways
that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a
whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or
make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates.
We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+
Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with
over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source
for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda
Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated
exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website,
AARP. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that
provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons
in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and
sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP

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