International Rural Aging Project

Preliminary Results-Relationship Between Rural Aging and the Development of Society
June 15, 2000

Lifelong Individual...

A discussion of the social, economic and health equities which impact the policy development of social and income support issues, of the health system and community development policy issues, and of the roles and responsibilities of levels of government, government, communities and families in demonstrating policies and programs that allow the concept of “aging in place” to be a viable choice.

• How successful is managed care in Medicare and Medicaid?

• Provides access
• Cost feasibility
• More responsible purchasers
• Improved quality of care
• In WV managed care has decreased access to care (rural)

• Develop tax structure to provide parity for health professional/providers in rural areas
• Increase public awareness that Social Security is a social insurance program
• Reauthorize the OAA and increase funding
• Add rural factor to OAA funding formula
• Define “rural” for funding purposes
• Provide means to attract younger elders
• Medicare budget cuts have hurt rural areas – states have had to make up for lost services
• Allow providers to include transportation costs for reimbursement
• Medicare should provide money for home and community based services – preventive/supportive
• ">Medicare should add Rx drug benefits
• Better coordination/structure
• Provide realistic rates for rural areas to attract managed care
• Don’t penalize local organizations for funding alternative funding sources – provide incentive to do so
• Unrelated business income is penalty for local fund raising
• How to be efficient/effective and still reach very rural areas
• Stronger advocacy for SS with change to both parties
• Use both groups as outreach for seniors
• When health care policies are to be changed, impact studies should be done (be more system oriented)
• Encourage others to study public policy

Key Policy Points:

• Funding Issues – Equitable and adequate funding for rural elderly health and social services

Policy to promote local innovations and the development of local resources

• Invest in and support reliable transportation systems that are sensitive to needs of rural elderly.
• Expansion of benefits to emphasize preventive and supportive service delivery – promote home and community based long term including including cost effective alternatives such as prescription drug assistance