Senators ask federal agency to address impact of ageism on healthcare

A group of U.S. senators wants a federal agency to examine the impact of ageism on quality and equity of healthcare, patient safety, and health outcomes.

“While ageism is often subtle, it is woven into our workforce, our healthcare system, and our everyday interactions,” U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wrote in a letter to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The letter was also signed by Bob Casey, D-Pa., Angus King (I-Maine) and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Ageism in healthcare is associated with a decreased likelihood that older adults will receive care that meets medical guidelines, an increased likelihood that they are not properly reimbursed for care, and exclusion from clinical trials and other research that is available to the public generally.

“Ageism costs the healthcare system $63 billion annually. In healthcare, ageism is expressed in our policies, the practices of health care providers, and negative assumptions held by older adults themselves,” the senators wrote.