Older citizens lie when it comes to policy formation
Voter expectations and issues come to the forefront when it is election time. Different sections of the population have different issues that need addressing. Senior citizens have also come out in polls and surveys to relay their most pressing problems. Some of the most recurrent issues aired by this section of voters to those responsible for policy-making revolve around better health care provision and ensuring funding keeps flowing for programs aimed at senior citizens.
According to a survey done investigating the issues most pressing to seniors, there are several pertinent concerns that will guide the voting patterns for older citizens. The study, which included a total of 350 respondents, brought to light several issues that show where older citizens lie when it comes to policy formation.
Health care cost
One of the issues directly linked to aging has to do with reasonable health care provisions. Financial security and proper health care go hand in hand. These are the two most pressing issues that seniors have to consider when it comes to which candidate they choose to represent them. Respondents were asked to choose among a list of problems with items such as subsidies to aid in research for Alzheimer’s disease, combating ageism, and support or caregivers. Many of the respondents picked such issues as; support for retired workers such as social security, affordable health care for senior citizens, and provision of health care insurance. Respondents expressed their concern about the ability to maintain a good standard of living even after coming out of formal employment. The quality of life that seniors receive plays a significant role in the aging process and avoidance of lifestyle disease. Poor health was noted to come with implications that could put financial security at risk for seniors who have to attend to medical bills with no income.
Social security
The majority of boomers and seniors place social security as one of the paramount priorities when it comes to the policies that they stand by. Social security was introduced in 1935 and has proved to be one of the most effective tools in fighting poverty in the United States. Numbers by the Social Security Administration show that 59% of seniors in retirement across the country depend on social security as their only source of income. In the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, underpinned her campaign strategy on the issue of dignity in retirement. In her plan, Clinton planned to include widows and women who have chosen to be stay-at-home moms. Propositions such as this are among the critical concerns for the aging voter in American today.
Medicare
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) puts the total number of beneficiaries under the Medicare program at 55.5 million. Older citizens in the country have a lot of medical needs that keep changing with every passing day. Survey respondents reiterated this concern with a large section rooting for candidates that looked to expand the Medicare program and increase funding. This comes with the rising concern of the ever-increasing price of prescription medicine. Respondents expressed their concern about the amount of funding to be channeled to such programs by the administration that takes over.
These and others are among the most pressing issues that older Americans consider in terms of policy issues. These are by no means the only issues that seniors are faced with; however, they stand out as being the most aired concerns.