Public Policy & Advocacy

With the population of Americans 65 and older expected to nearly double, to more than 70 million by 2030, providing high quality, cost-effective healthcare to older adults is imperative. The Society’s public policy advocacy efforts center around five areas of focus, each in keeping with AGS’ overarching aim of ensuring older adults access to quality healthcare.

Health Care Reform
Much of our 2009 work on these five issues has been devoted to ensuring that our core priorities are addressed in health reform. The health reform bill signed into law in March 2010 will improve elder healthcare now and in the future and strengthen the geriatrics workforce.

Workforce Issues
Address the acute and growing nationwide shortage of geriatricians and all geriatrics healthcare professionals; and ensure that other healthcare providers have training that prepares them to meet the unique healthcare needs of older people. 

Payment Reform
Effect healthcare financing reform that ensures all older adults access to high quality healthcare.

Care Coordination
Strengthen primary and preventive care and care coordination.

Quality & Patient Safety
Ensure that value-based purchasing and other quality initiatives take into account the unique healthcare needs of all older patients.

Research
Step-up research concerning healthy aging, the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of age-related health problems, and the cost-effectiveness of various approaches to care; and ensure that older adults are adequately represented in research trials.