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Former Gov. Mark Parkinson, (D-Kan.), on the impact of the growing elderly population on America’s health-care system.
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The demographics of the ageing population are expected to make a major shift over the next couple years is the US population aged 65 and older -- get this is expected to more than double by the year 2060 so the question is how will this impact already cash strapped state.
Spraying up America is big business but it's a big issue to we've got someone very familiar with the matter.
Former governor of Kansas Mark Parkinson he has a passion for the elder care profession operating several nursing homes with his wife and serving the CEO and president of the American health care association.
You would your wife of -- -- into some serious business but but obviously there's a massive need.
What is seen in the past couple of years since we last spoke with you when it comes to demand -- need.
Well you're right -- such huge -- you know just just indicated the number of people over 65 -- doubling over ninety million people over the next when -- thirty years.
The need for elder care continues to expand dramatically.
The challenge that we have in this country there was however gonna pay for it at the very time that we have all these -- Turning 65 in the greatest generation in their eighty's right now.
The -- never really been in a worse position to pay for that care so that's the challenge that we face.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- The first is that the government's gonna have to get serious about entitlement reform and indeed the this the cost figures just don't hold up these programs were developed with -- -- ability criteria 3040 years ago we're living longer and and we really need to look at that.
The second thing that we need to do though.
It's really look at the companies in the business opportunities that are out there you just had the CEO with the and -- on that niche of here that -- company is really helping improve.
Taking cost out of assistance and keeping quality up we also think there's a tremendous opportunity in our sector.
All alternatives to hospital stays where the -- nursing homes assisted living facilities -- home health.
Or way to take care of people and a cheaper way hopefully in -- quality way.
And we're going to be answers like that.
But it all does come down to money and and what we have seen -- specially since the payroll tax cut was eliminated.
People are now poaching their 41 case marked -- to pay for.
Basic needs that they they have -- -- you've got the sandwich generation which is sort of straddling that that they need to pay for either their parents or themselves.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I think the president understands at least on the cost side that whether it's hospitals nursing homes docs etc.
-- The only real solution to this is that we have to lower the cost of health care you know -- the cost to keep going up but it can't go up at a higher rate than inflation.
In so again -- a tremendous entrepreneurial opportunities because companies that can figure out a way to help lower cost are gonna do well which is why you see all the software companies booming.
-- -- talking in the break about at what a change in Washington since since you left the governorship.
As a Democrat you know crossing how many times to work with your Republican brethren but I don't see that anymore what quite.
On the middle has disappeared.
Twenty years ago there were hundreds swing districts out of 435.
So those were people -- had to work with both sides of the aisle.
Now there are now only 35 swing districts so Republicans have become more conservative Democrats have become more liberal and nobody is talking -- polarized creates real problem.
Good to have you former governor Mark Parkinson very caring about the elders.
In this world and airborne more on the average fell she expected the numbers are --
