Event originally held 10/03/02.

Over the past two decades, greater financial security, healthier lifestyles, and advances in medical care have improved the health and quality of life of many people age 50 and older. In general, people are using available services more, are receiving more sophisticated care, and are living longer. However, many challenges to health security remain for people age 50 and older. Enjoying good health, having adequate health and long-term care coverage, being able to gain access to high quality care, not being financially devastated by health care costs, and being able to make informed health care decisions are circumstances out of reach for many. The number of people without coverage for needed services has increased, average health care costs per person have grown, the expanded role of prescription drugs places a particular out-of-pocket burden on people without adequate drug coverage, and there are serious deficiencies in health care quality.

John Rother, AARP's Director of Policy and Strategy, gives a detailed presentation of the problems that are currently facing us and that will face us in the future in health security. Following is a panel discussion with Sara Sutro, Consultant to the Senate Subcommittee on Aging and Long Term Care; Patricia Sussman, M.S., Consultant - Health Services and Employment and Human Services Departments of Contra Costa County; and Andrew Scharlach, Eugene and Rose Kleiner Professor of Aging, and Associate Professor, University of California, Berkeley, CA and Faculty Associate, Geriatric Education Center, Stanford University.

This event was co-sponsored by AARP and the Goldman School of Public Policy, Resource Center on Aging.