The following principles guide AARP’s efforts to promote and sustain individual and population health and improve the health care system by ensuring access to high-quality, affordable care.
Engage individuals and communities to support healthy living—healthy living and communities are critical to ensuring the health and well-being of Americans. Individuals, government, and the private sector should work together to promote improvements in health. This should include the many social and economic determinants of health, such as transportation, housing, nutrition, and community design.
Ensure adequacy and affordability—public and private insurance should provide adequate health coverage. Costs, such as premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses, should not be burdensome to consumers or limit access to coverage or necessary services. Sufficient financial assistance should be available to consumers with low incomes to ensure affordability for all.
Deliver high-quality care and contain costs—the health care system should advance population health, improve quality, and spend more effectively. The public and private sector should engage in and support innovative quality improvement and cost-containment approaches to ensure value and improve the sustainability of the health care system.
Ensure access and equity—public and private policies and practices should eliminate disparities and promote health. Access to health and health care supported by a robust, diverse, and qualified workforce must be ensured.