A Report from
Harvard School of Public Health–MetLife Foundation Initiative
on Retirement and Civic Engagement
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
Approximately 77 million babies were born in the United States during the boom years of 1946 to
1964. In 2011, the oldest will turn 65, and, on average, can expect to live to 83. Many will
continue well into their 90s.
The baby boomers soon will have the opportunity to redefine the meaning and purpose of the
older years. As some of the demands of work and family that have commanded their attention in
mid-life recede, boomers will have the potential to become a social resource of unprecedented
proportions by actively participating in the life of their communities.
But will they participate? Compared to their parents' generation, the so-called "Greatest
Generation," boomers have done less by every measure of civic engagement, including rates of
voting and joining community groups. Given this reality, Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers and
Civic Engagement, a report from the Harvard School of Public Health–MetLife Foundation
Initiative on Retirement and Civic Engagement, examines these questions:
• Can a national effort succeed in mobilizing large numbers of boomers to contribute their
time, skills, and experience to address community problems?
• If boomers respond in large numbers, will civic organizations of various kinds be
prepared to receive them?
• What roles can the news media, the advertising industry, and Hollywood play in helping
society redefine the meaning and purpose of the older years
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
)Over 80 on the Internet
I get a lot of strange kind of looks when I tell people my grandma has a blog," said Cora Huffman of Moxee, Lemaster's 31-year-old granddaughter.
Internet use by seniors is on the rise, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which released surveys on the subject in 2000 and 2004. The percentage of Americans 65 or older who go online jumped from 15 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2004 and appeared to be on an upward trajectory, the studies found.
"There are a lot of people who are 80 and over who are using computers and the Internet," said Phil Carnahan, a consultant with SeniorNet, a national group that offers computer training to seniors.
Carnahan, a 75-year-old retiree who lives in Sparks, Nev., said most people his age don't blog; but they are online and they use e-mail heavily.
"The biggest reason you have for people who come in (to a SeniorNet center) is they want to be able to correspond with their family," he said. "They want to e-mail their grandchildren."
Still, there is a relatively small proportion of seniors online compared with other age groups. There are older bloggers than Lemaster out there, but among her contemporaries it's still unusual.
"I don't think I've even told any of my friends," she said of her blog, which is frequented by family members and the occasional stranger who stumbles upon it. "They're not into computers. They wouldn't know what I was talking about."
Internet use by seniors is on the rise, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which released surveys on the subject in 2000 and 2004. The percentage of Americans 65 or older who go online jumped from 15 percent in 2000 to 22 percent in 2004 and appeared to be on an upward trajectory, the studies found.
"There are a lot of people who are 80 and over who are using computers and the Internet," said Phil Carnahan, a consultant with SeniorNet, a national group that offers computer training to seniors.
Carnahan, a 75-year-old retiree who lives in Sparks, Nev., said most people his age don't blog; but they are online and they use e-mail heavily.
"The biggest reason you have for people who come in (to a SeniorNet center) is they want to be able to correspond with their family," he said. "They want to e-mail their grandchildren."
Still, there is a relatively small proportion of seniors online compared with other age groups. There are older bloggers than Lemaster out there, but among her contemporaries it's still unusual.
"I don't think I've even told any of my friends," she said of her blog, which is frequented by family members and the occasional stranger who stumbles upon it. "They're not into computers. They wouldn't know what I was talking about."
Modern computerized systems
Modern computerized systems have links to online information on best practices, treatment recommendations and harmful drug interactions. The potential benefits include fewer unnecessary tests, reduced medical errors and better care so patients are less likely to require costly treatment in hospitals.
The widespread adoption of electronic health records might also greatly increase evidence-based medicine. Each patient’s records add to a real-time, ever-growing database of evidence showing what works and what does not. The goal is to harness health information from individuals and populations, share it across networks, sift it and analyze it to make the practice of medicine more of a science and less an art.
The widespread adoption of electronic health records might also greatly increase evidence-based medicine. Each patient’s records add to a real-time, ever-growing database of evidence showing what works and what does not. The goal is to harness health information from individuals and populations, share it across networks, sift it and analyze it to make the practice of medicine more of a science and less an art.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
SAVING WITH GENERIAC DRUGS
Perhaps the greatest savings on generic brands comes in the pharmaceutical industry. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, in 2006 the average retail price of a generic prescription drug purchase was $32.23, while brand-name drugs went for an average of $111.02.
“The price is the only significant difference,” said Charlie Mayr, spokesman for the Generic Pharmaceuticals Association. “In terms of the way that it is absorbed by the body and the way it works, it is exactly the same.”
About 67 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States are generic drugs. There are at least 8,730 generic equivalents to the 11,487 prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Particularly now with the economy in the condition it is in and people looking for ways to meet their current bills, some people are considering whether or not to continue their medications,” Mayr said. “Generic brands offer them the ability to do both - to continue the medication they need and to have extra money for the bills that they have.”
Rashiv Lal, a marketing professor at Harvard Busine
“The price is the only significant difference,” said Charlie Mayr, spokesman for the Generic Pharmaceuticals Association. “In terms of the way that it is absorbed by the body and the way it works, it is exactly the same.”
About 67 percent of all prescriptions filled in the United States are generic drugs. There are at least 8,730 generic equivalents to the 11,487 prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“Particularly now with the economy in the condition it is in and people looking for ways to meet their current bills, some people are considering whether or not to continue their medications,” Mayr said. “Generic brands offer them the ability to do both - to continue the medication they need and to have extra money for the bills that they have.”
Rashiv Lal, a marketing professor at Harvard Busine
Saturday, November 15, 2008
covering illegal imigrants
Hospitals are required to screen and treat all those who arrive at their emergency rooms. But they receive only partial compensation for illegal immigrants, through emergency Medicaid and, for the last few years, through Section 1011 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, a program that expired in October. That partial coverage ends when the patient is stabilized.
But hospitals are also required to discharge safely patients who need continuing care, leading to their quandary: they generally cannot find nursing homes to accept illegal immigrants, or legal ones with less than five years' residency, because long-term care is not covered by emergency Medicaid.
But hospitals are also required to discharge safely patients who need continuing care, leading to their quandary: they generally cannot find nursing homes to accept illegal immigrants, or legal ones with less than five years' residency, because long-term care is not covered by emergency Medicaid.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
FY08 Funding for Prescription Advantage
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The fiscal year 2008 budget included over $60.5 million to fund Prescription Advantage. This funding level for Prescription Advantage is based on Medicare Part D providing the primary prescription drug coverage for most of the program’s members and Prescription Advantage providing supplemental assistance with Part D premiums, co-payments, deductibles and coverage gaps. Prescription Advantage will continue to provide primary coverage for members not eligible for Medicare.
Please note: The legislation which funds Prescription Advantage requires the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to operate the program within its appropriation for the current fiscal year; thus, during the course of the year, the Plan may be required to impose cost containment measures”.
The fiscal year 2008 budget included over $60.5 million to fund Prescription Advantage. This funding level for Prescription Advantage is based on Medicare Part D providing the primary prescription drug coverage for most of the program’s members and Prescription Advantage providing supplemental assistance with Part D premiums, co-payments, deductibles and coverage gaps. Prescription Advantage will continue to provide primary coverage for members not eligible for Medicare.
Please note: The legislation which funds Prescription Advantage requires the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to operate the program within its appropriation for the current fiscal year; thus, during the course of the year, the Plan may be required to impose cost containment measures”.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
VA'S Presciption Drug System
A groundbreaking study, by Frank R. Lichtenberg, Ph.D. of the Columbia School of Business, should put such comparisons to rest. In Older Drugs, Shorter Lives? An Examination of the Health Effects of the Veterans Health Administration Formulary, Dr. Lichtenberg shows the VH approach is not about prices or genuine negotiations. With the VA's tight budget, it is all about restricting veterans' access to new (and many old) medications to save dollars and hit budget targets.
The VA's highly restrictive national formulary excludes 62% of drugs approved by the FDA during the 1990's and 81% of new medications approved since 2000. Even worse, the drug benefit designed for our nation's veterans does not pay for a staggering 78% of new, high-priority prescription drugs approved by the FDA on an expedited basis since 1997 because of their life-saving impact. By comparison, commercial health plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and state Medicaid programs cover the vast majority of new drugs and move quick to add coverage for most drugs given fast-track by the FDA.
Dr. Lichtenberg's 2005 study shows that the VA's prescription drug system - seen by many as the "model" for Medicare Part D - reduced the life span and survival rates of vets since its 1997 introduction. Note to Congress: Death is always cheaper than life but rarely preferable.
The VA's highly restrictive national formulary excludes 62% of drugs approved by the FDA during the 1990's and 81% of new medications approved since 2000. Even worse, the drug benefit designed for our nation's veterans does not pay for a staggering 78% of new, high-priority prescription drugs approved by the FDA on an expedited basis since 1997 because of their life-saving impact. By comparison, commercial health plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and state Medicaid programs cover the vast majority of new drugs and move quick to add coverage for most drugs given fast-track by the FDA.
Dr. Lichtenberg's 2005 study shows that the VA's prescription drug system - seen by many as the "model" for Medicare Part D - reduced the life span and survival rates of vets since its 1997 introduction. Note to Congress: Death is always cheaper than life but rarely preferable.
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