Healthcare Policy
Discover how public health policies shape the future of aging.
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Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on Medicare Beneficiary Affordability and Mortality
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) introduced multiple reforms to Medicare prescription drug payments, including a redesign of the Part D prescription drug benefit, rebates for drugs with price increases beyond inflation, the ability for Medicare to negotiate the price of certain drugs, and an option to have a predictable monthly payment plan for some beneficiaries. These changes are intended to im...
Medicare 101: What Does It Cover & How Much Does It Cost?
Key Takeaways: Medicare has four parts: Part A covers hospital and inpatient care, Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services, Part C (Medicare Advantage) bundles A and B through private insurers, and Part D covers prescription drugs. Eligibility comes through three main paths: turning 65 with a 10-year work history, receiving SSDI for 24 months, or a qualifying diagnosis of ESRD or ALS. ...
Why Medicare Isn't One-Size-Fits-All: The Medicare Quilt
From Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D, and beyond, no two beneficiaries experience Medicare the same way.Medicare is often talked about as if it's a single program, but for the millions of Americans who rely on it, coverage looks more like a quilt than a blanket. Some beneficiaries stay in Original Medicare with Parts A and B. Others add Part D for prescription drugs, or Me...
Leveraging Multisector Plans for Aging to Promote Health Equity
As our population skews older, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and social services becomes increasingly important. Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) have emerged as a pivotal framework for addressing the diverse needs of older adults and promoting health equity. This comprehensive strategy encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being and quality of life for older Americans, while...
Creating the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging
Aging in America and the Case for a National Plan on AgingThere are more than 77 million adults ages 60 and older living in the United States, representing more than 23% of its total population, and this cohort is expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years. In addition, more people are aging with a disability. Our changing demographics require all levels of government, along with key...
Why MPAs Are Critical to Equitably Meeting the Needs of Aging Communities
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, states have an opportunity to rebuild their systems serving elders to better serve all older adults and people with disabilities. This massive feat must begin with a plan.Multisector Plans for Aging—also known as master plans, strategic plans or aging-well plans—offer a powerful tool for communities to better meet older adults’ long-term services and supp...
From Molecules to Medicine: A Primer on the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
The pharmaceutical supply chain is a complex, global network that moves medicines from raw ingredient suppliers to manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, distributors, pharmacies, healthcare providers, and ultimately patients. This primer explains the role each stakeholder plays and highlights how international manufacturing and distribution networks influence the availability and cost of prescr...
Untapped Potential: The Older Workforce in America
The United States is undergoing a major demographic shift. By 2034 older adults are projected to outnumber children for the first time in the nation’s history. Falling birth rates coupled with longer life expectancies are driving this shift, with significant implications for families, communities, public programs, and the economy. Older adults can play a role in strengthening the U.S. workforce th...
Congressional Committees Shaping Prescription Drug Policy
Prescription drug costs rank among Americans’ top concerns, with four out of five saying prices are too high. Congress has the power to act, but with 46 committees across the House and Senate, knowing which panels hold that power isn’t always obvious. Download West Health’s new guide to learn about the committees best positioned to make a difference.
Rising MSP Participation Signals Progress, but Significant Enrollment Gaps Remain
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help low-income Medicare beneficiaries afford essential health care by covering premiums and other out-of-pocket costs, yet millions of eligible individuals remain unenrolled. A new analysis from the Urban Institute, conducted in partnership with West Health and Aurrera Health Group, found that MSP participation has improved over the past decade. Despite this progr...