The Healthcare Cost Crisis and California’s Master Plan for Aging

High healthcare costs, social isolation, loneliness, food insecurity, malnutrition and issues related to housing have impacted older people for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made these issues even worse. In this episode of LeverAGE, we explore America’s healthcare cost crisis, and common-sense ways to lower costs and enhance care for all Americans as we age. We also cover the latest developments in California’s statewide effort to build a Master Plan for Aging, a 10-year blueprint that will help guide state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropies to build environments that promote healthy aging. California is among the first in a handful of states to build a plan in response to our society’s aging, following a process that can serve as a model for other states and the federal government to follow.

Host: Peter Kaldes, CEO of the American Society on Aging

Guests:

• Shelley Lyford is President and Chief Executive Officer of West Health, Gary and Mary West Foundation, and West Health Institute; and Board Director of Gary and Mary West Foundation.
• Timothy A. Lash, MBA, is Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of West Health; President of West Health Policy Center; CEO and President of Gary and Mary West PACE; and Board Director of Gary and Mary West Foundation. 

This episode was sponsored by West Health Policy Center

Resources

• Generations | Winter 2019-20 | Older Adults and America's Healthcare Cost Crisis
• New COVID-19 Vaccine Site for Vulnerable Seniors at West PACE in San Marcos
• Inside California’s New Master Plan for Aging: An Opportunity for Reimagining and Reform