Beyond the political role old-age groups perform, the political activity of and social policies for the elderly affect others. Diverse interest groups, constituencies, and organizations increasingly seek to influence political decisions regarding benefits for the elderly: small businesses faced with increasing Social Security payroll taxes; large corporations paying for elder care and long-term care insurance for their employees; pharmaceutical companies faced with cost controls over prescription drugs; lawyers handling age-discrimination cases; and the health-care industry facing large numbers of elderly patients. All of these have a stake in the politics of aging.
In some cases, groups not representing the elderly have more political muscle than old-age organizations. Some argue that elderly groups were never principal players in influencing policy decisions.
custom written papers of sufficient quality is rare. Get authentic service, essay and paper writing, now! During debates over Medicare and Medicaid, for example, key groups supporting passage included the AFL-CIO, the American Nurses Association, the Council of Jewish Foundations, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Farmers Union, and the American Geriatrics Society. Opponents included the American Hospital Association, the Life Insurance Association of America, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of Blue Shield Plans, the Chamber of Commerce, and the American Legion.
We expect that many other groups will want to influence political developments in aging and, together, they might well have more political influence than the elderly. This will complicate further the future political role of the elderly. Regardless of how we view the elderly and their influence, questions remain: Will the elderly be more powerful in the future, or will their influence dissipate? How will their growing number shape politics and change in social policies for the elderly? Where will old age fit in the constellation of new players participating in senior-citizen policies?