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Long-Term Care Affordability – Rising Medicare Enrollee Costs – Food Insecurity

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Prices for Top Drugs Increase Over Time in the U.S. but Fall in Other Countries

List prices for 25 top brand name drugs rose an average of 81% since they first entered the U.S. market, a recent AARP Public Policy Institute report finds. In contrast, lifetime list prices for the same products in 19 other high-income countries decreased by an average of 13%. The dramatically different price trajectories play a noteworthy role in the U.S.’s comparatively high brand name drug prices and reaffirm the importance of Medicare drug price negotiation and other ongoing efforts to give Americans access to lower drug prices.

New Video: Long-Term Care Affordability is Worsening for Middle-Class Americans

Costs for long-term services and supports have surged during the last several years, causing affordability to plummet for Americans who need the care. Those costs were especially high for some of the most used services, such as home care. (See related blog below.) With most people having to pay for care out of pocket, many families must deplete financial resources, find ways to provide the care themselves, or go without care. A new AARP Policy Now video sheds light on the issue.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Sharp Rise in Home Care Prices Puts Older Adults and Family Caregivers at Risk

Between May 2025 and May 2026, home care prices rose by nearly 8%—almost double the rate of overall inflation. A recent AARP Public Policy Institute blog analyzes new data specific to long-term care services, compares price increases in home care to other services, and discusses the implications of the trend for older adults and their families.

New Medicare Trustees Report: Projected Funding Gap and Rising Enrollee Costs

This year’s Medicare Trustees Report projects the Part A trust fund will face a shortfall in resources starting in 2033, even as more immediate cost pressures will hit Medicare enrollees directly in coming years. The report projects an annual increase of 6% for Part B enrollee premiums, pushing up the monthly premium of $202.90 in 2026 to an estimated $272.10 in 2031.

Expanded Work Rules: Protecting Access for SNAP-Medicaid Enrollees

Expanded work requirements in both Medicaid and SNAP mean many of the 4 million-plus adults ages 50 to 64 relying on both programs must document work hours or qualify for exemptions. But for the many people who may qualify for exemptions, documenting their eligibility can be difficult. A new AARP Public Policy Institute report highlights how work requirements have changed the programs for midlife adults and outlines steps states can take to streamline processes, reduce administrative burden, and help eligible adults maintain access to benefits.

Food Insecurity Remained Elevated in 2024

About 1 in 10 Americans ages 50 and older faced food insecurity in 2024, the last year for which data are available. Likely driven by factors including higher food prices, food insecurity remained higher than pre-pandemic levels. The share of adults 50 and older facing food insecurity increased from 9.8% in 2022 to 10.4% in 2023 and 2024. The continued high levels highlight the importance of continued data collection and reporting on the issue.

In the News

Home Care Costs Grow Much Faster Than Inflation

Axios

Share of Working Adults Age 65 and Older Has Tripled Since 2001

Senior Housing News

Mike Johnson Wants to ‘Fix’ Social Security—Will Benefits Change?

Miami Herald

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