@article{e175700f79854660894e4da6d4e1b31c,
title = "Influencing public policy to improve the lives of older Americans",
abstract = "Aging of the U.S. population raises numerous public policy issues about which gerontological researchers, policy experts, and practitioners have much to contribute. However, the means by which aging-related public policy is influenced are not always apparent. Drawing on experience working in the U.S. Senate and other settings as Health and Aging Policy Fellows, the authors outline the formal and informal processes by which public policy is shaped in the U.S. Congress. Many who seek to influence public policy do so by telling legislators what they want. A less obvious path to policy influence is for gerontologists to offer their expertise to legislators and their staff. The authors provide specific recommendations for how gerontologists can establish productive and ongoing relationships with key legislative players. The authors also emphasize the importance of collaboration with advocacy groups and with local and state stakeholders to advance aging-related public policy to improve the lives of older Americans.",
keywords = "Advocacy, Political science, U.S. Congress",
author = "Hinrichsen, {Gregory A.} and Kietzman, {Kathryn G.} and Alkema, {Gretchen E.} and Bragg, {Elizabeth J.} and Hensel, {Brian K.} and Miles, {Toni P.} and Segev, {Dorry L.} and Judy Zerzan",
note = "Funding Information: The Health and Aging Policy Fellowship supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies and administered through the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene at Columbia University offers gerontological professionals at various career Stages 9-to 12-month opportunities to participate directly in the policy-making process (http://www.healthandagingpolicy .org/). The Fellowship includes a residential and nonresidential track. Residential fellows serve as legislative assistants in federal or state legislative bodies or staff in executive agencies or in external policy organizations. Nonresidential fellows remain at their home institutions and work on a project relevant to aging public policy and may engage in brief governmental off-site placements during the fellowship year. Extensive orientation to policy, mentorship by policy leaders in aging, and other activities are part of the fellowship in partnership with the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program. The first cohort of five residential and three nonresidential fellows was launched in 2008 with placements in offices of individual U.S. senators, the Senate Finance Committee, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Nonresidential fellows worked on individual aging policy projects and on projects with Senate offices. Fellows worked on a wide range of aging-relevant policy issues, including health care reform, long-term care, end of life, mental health, Medicaid, the geriatric workforce, and community-based services. (See recent issue of the Public Policy and Aging Report [Hudson & O{\textquoteright}Neill, 2010] for a fuller description of the Fellowship and activities of fellows.) Funding Information: The Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program is funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies.",
year = "2010",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1093/geront/gnq034",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "50",
pages = "735--743",
journal = "Gerontologist",
issn = "0016-9013",
publisher = "Oxford University Press",
number = "6",
}