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This paper argues that the duel trends in American society (the baby boom generation and the ongoing efforts to reform the American health care system) are linked. The paper traces the birth and development of the baby boom generation and, at the same time, the ongoing efforts to reform the current health care system. Furthermore, the paper explores how the print media addresses the relationship between the baby boom and health care reform. Utilizing lexis-Nexis, newspaper coverage of the phrases "baby boomer" and "health care reform" between January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2015, yielded 181 viable articles. While content could be divided into five broad categories, the financial relationship between baby boomers and health care reform represented the majority of articles. More specifically, the financial relationship is influenced by concern over the continued viability of Medicare. The findings suggest that the print media are attempting to frame the discussion regarding the impact of the baby boom generation on the Medicare system and the broader issue of health care reform. In other words, is the baby boom generation bankrupting the country or is the health care system bankrupting the system and attempting to blame the baby boom generation? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much has been written about the baby-boom generation in the United States and elsewhere. Although the dates of this generation vary depending on country, the basic definition remains the same: those born during a period of rapidly increasing birth rates immediately following the end of World War II. Beyond their numbers, much, and yet little, is known about this generation. While research efforts have focused on a myriad of topics relevant to this generation such as their economic well-being, family composition and subsequent relationships, less is known regarding how they are viewed by the broader media community. Utilizing the international newspaper section of Lexis-Nexis, this research addresses how baby boomers are presented in the print media. In particular this research explores how the print media in a number of countries with English newspapers frame articles regarding the baby boom generation. Findings indicate a range of differences between countries in their coverage of this generation and the categories used in their presentation. More specifically, the data suggest that the baby boom generation is framed more as a socially created social problem rather than as an engaged segment of society. The categories utilized by the print media to construct this image are addressed as are the implications for this generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed into law in March, 2010 has been controversial from its inception. Conservatives have denounced the legislation as a socialist takeover of the American healthcare system while liberals have argued it is a giveaway to the pharmaceutical and private health insurance industries. With approval from the Supreme Court of its constitutionality, the legislation is now firmly established within the American version of a national health care system. Nevertheless, the legislation remains contentious and unpopular, although specific components find strong approval from the general public. These apparent inconsistencies represent the peculiar American value system are ingrained in our beliefs regarding the relationship between government and health care. While the history of the Affordable Care Act has played out on American media for the last three years, what is unknown is how this legislation has been portrayed by media outside the United States. International media coverage of American health reform efforts become of interest not only because of the uniqueness of the American health care system relative to other developed countries but also as a result of the intense differences that have developed throughout the legislative process. It is within this context of internal dissent and outside coverage that this paper is based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to gauge American and European views toward aging, this research examined newspaper stories printed between July 3, 2006 and January 3, 2007 from their respective national communities. Employing Lexis-Nexis, we identified 195 articles in American newspapers and 102 in European newspapers that used the terms aging, medical, and political. Analyzing the context within which these terms were used, we identified 10 categories. Examining the distribution of articles in each category, we argue that American and European newspapers exhibit a degree of commonality when covering objective criteria of aging such as demographic data, health care costs, economic issues, and long-term care. However, there are areas of difference. For example, European newspapers are more likely to report on the medical care of aging in terms of its relationship to health care system efficiency while American newspapers are more likely to address well-being as an individual responsibility. As a result, newspaper coverage of aging and its relationship to variables such as medicine and politics generally reflect the social policy differences between the United States and the European community. While predictable, such outcomes further homogenize aging beliefs and expectations. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the economic and health needs of aging populations within a comparative perspective. The findings indicate that the cost of health care is not related to the size of the aging population. In addition, the health of a population, measured in terms of life expectancy at birth, is not influenced by the amount of money spent on health care. For many elderly, post-retirement economic needs are influenced by the reimbursement rate of the average pre-retirement income. Within these two criteria, the United States rates poorly when compared with other nations. Beyond the United States, the English-speaking world also compares poorly. The paper concludes with an analysis of of the current situation an future projections. It is argued that any discussion would be enhanced if the focus was on ensuring economic and health needs throughout the life cycle rather than limited to specific chronological periods in life. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States has experienced four waves of health care reform during the twentieth century. Beginning with the first wave between 1910 and 1920, other waves occurred between 1935-50; 1965-80; and the fourth wave approximately 1991-1994. During the first three waves, health care reformers advocated national health insurance as an alternative to the current system. The fourth wave however, argued in favor of a broadly constructed, yet less focused public/private partnership. Although reform efforts were defeated during all four waves, the fourth wave experienced increased fragmentation of system-level options along with multiple voices advocating a range of reform options. Focusing on the fourth wave, this research examines how national news programming used three specific health reform terms on their newscasts and by whom. Utilizing Lexis-Nexis, this research analyzed news transcripts of ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and the McNeil-Lehrer News Hour. This research categorized who and how the following three terms were used on the newscasts: universal coverage, national health insurance, and single-payer. The findings indicate that health caree reform terminology on network newscasts was primarily given as a statement rather than within the context of health policy and that the television anchors/reporters were more likely to use the terms rather than politicians or health policy experts/advocates. It is argued that national news programming presented health reform as having limited significance because it was not considered within the context of broader health policy. The implications associated with media usage of these health reform terms are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American health care system is financially inefficient, inaccessible, and administratively wasteful. Nevertheless, political and economic interests are intent on maintaining the status quo. As a result, American health care is in a perpetual state of crisis as the political process attempts to balance the economic needs of corporate stockholders with the appearance of social responsibility towards its citizens. The consequences of this political gambit (excessive costs and rising rates of uninsured) have become all too apparent. This paper identifies and analyzes a series of interrelated issues that constitute the framework of criticism associated with the American health care system. These issues include the political process, the health insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the life style of the American public. Based on the outcome of this analysis, this paper offers a pessimistic assessment of the future of the American health care system. In particular, it is argued that unless fundamental changes are made, the market-based American health care system will continue to fragment the public into categories based on their ability to access the system and ultimately their health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic illnesses range from conditions that are severe and noticeable (some cancers) to those that are relatively mild and hidden (arthritic for some). The increasing invisibility of some chronic illnesses makes it difficult for patients to expect legitimacy and claims-making in an era of fiscal conservancy and decreasing support for the non-well in society. It is within this context that this paper explores the author's personal experience with chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP). Chronic ITP is classified as a rare chronic disease that does not have a clear trajectory and is generally invisible to the public. Various stages in the progression of the illness are detailed as well as the changing dynamics of the patient/provider relationship. The paper illustrates the the need for patients with invisible chronic illnesses to chronicle their experiences by reframing the environment within which the chronic illness occurs to the personal rather than the clinical. Doing so legitimizes the illness and the claims-making of the patient, thereby allowing the patient to control the consequences of the illness trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic and political transition experienced throughout eastern and central Europe in the latter 1980s and early 1990s has had a significant impact on the populations of the affected nations. Utilizing the World Values Survey, this research examines elderly responses to changing levels of confidence in a number of social institutions as well as attitudes toward the evolving political system and increased privatization within the economic structure of society in Lithuania and Poland. Elderly confidence in the military, churches, the press, and labor unions varied over time and by country. Older Poles were the most confident in the military and police while elderly Lithuanians expressed the most confidence in churches, the press and labor unions. Compared to younger respondents, the elderly in both countries expressed increased dissatisfaction with the impact of economic privatization. Implications of these findings are discussed within the context of their location and their meaning for aging populations in the countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]