Elections Matter: Aging Politics and Policy in the Biden Era

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Location: 204 CC

CE: 1.5

Chair(s)

EM

Edward Miller, PhD, FGSA

Professor
Gerontology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Co-Chair(s)

Janelle Fassi, BA

Doctoral Student
Gerontology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Goffstown, New Hampshire, United States

Discussant(s)

MC

Marc Cohen, PhD

Clinical Professor
Gerontology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

EM

Edward Miller, PhD, FGSA

Professor
Gerontology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Janelle Fassi, BA

Doctoral Student
Gerontology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Goffstown, New Hampshire, United States
MG

Michael Gusmano, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean
College of Health
Leigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States
PN

Pamela Nadash, PhD, BPhil

Associate Professor
Gerontology
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Eileen J. Tell, MPH

CEO
ET Consulting, LLC
ET Consulting, LLC
Belmont, Massachusetts, United States

The 2020 election of Joe Biden to the presidency has shifted the foundations of the American political system after four years of conservative policy leadership. Combined with a slim Democratic majority in Congress, the policies, priorities, and proposals of the Biden administration have important ramifications for all spheres of American life. Nowhere is this clearer than with older Americans who disproportionately supported Donald Trump’s reelection but are among those who benefit most with enactment of the Democratic party agenda. Between 2010 and 2050 the proportion of the U.S. population aged 65 years or older is projected to increase from 13% to 20%. Population aging creates opportunities and challenges for older adults, their families, and society in general. The Biden administration has chosen to meet these challenges, in part, by seeking to expand the social safety net. By contrast, the Trump administration largely supported Republican priorities to draw back on the federal government’s commitment to programs intended to support an aging population. This panel examines aging politics and policy during the first two years of the Biden administration. It reports on older adults’ voting patterns and the role of issue framing in limiting public support for proposals such as Medicare for All. It analyzes provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act and Build Back Better Bill to bolster formal care and services for older adults, as well as federal actions to support family caregivers. Edward Miller serves as panel chair; Janelle Fassi serves as co-chair and Marc Cohen as discussant.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, participants will be able to understand aging politics in the context of Joe Biden’s election to the presidency and Democratic party control of Congress.
After attending this session, participants will be able to describe Biden administration and Democratic party proposals affecting health and long-term care policies impacting older adults.
After attending this session, participants will be able to draw on and apply lessons provided to constructively address health and long-term care given opportunities and constraints posed by the current policy environment.

Presentations:

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Enhancing Federal Revenue for Home and Community-Based Services Under the American Rescue Plan Act
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Edward A. Miller, PhD, FGSA – University of Massachusetts Boston
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

What Was Important to Older Voters in the 2020 Election? A Look at COVID-19, Misinformation, and Policy
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Janelle E. Fassi, BA – University of Massachusetts Boston
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Medicare and the Dynamics of US Health Reform Politics
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Michael K. Gusmano, PhD – Leigh University
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

The Implications of the Build Back Better Bill for Aging Health Policy
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Pamela Nadash, PhD, BPhil – University of Massachusetts Boston
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Federal Actions to Support Family Caregivers Under the Biden Administration
Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Eileen J. Tell, MPH – ET Consulting, LLC