Summary of PAA Workshop for the Congressional Research Service Domestic Social Policy Division

December 9, 2009

“The Health and Retirement Study”

On December 9, 2009, the Population Association of America (PAA) sponsored its first workshop for analysts in the Domestic Social Policy Division of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Two PAA members, Dr. David Weir and Dr. Kandice Kapinos, presented on the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). CRS analysts who cover a diverse range of topics, including pensions, health care, taxes, and welfare, selected the workshop topic. Thirteen analysts, including the Deputy Assistant Director of the Division, attended.

Laura Shrestha, Deputy Assistant Director, CRS Domestic Social Policy Division; Dr. David Weir, University of Michigan; Dr. Kandice Kapinos, University of Michigan; and Janemarie Mulvey, CRS Specialist on Aging Policy.

Dr. Weir, who is the HRS Principal Investigator, spoke first. At the request of the CRS staff, his presentation was very technical. He focused on the mechanics of the HRS, describing its sample, weights, response rates, and content. He also discussed the survey’s health data, citing specific findings and how the data compare to other heath surveys.

Dr. Kapinos discussed the household wealth and income data HRS collects. She discussed the challenges researchers have faced getting accurate information about personal wealth from HRS respondents. She discussed other sources HRS uses from respondents’ employers and financial records to verify or refine information from HRS participants. She fielded questions on how disability benefits are included in personal wealth calculations as well as questions about how the study accounts for gains or losses in individuals’ investment portfolios.

The analysts asked questions throughout the briefing including the following:

• Are data on out-of-pocket health care expenditures available from the 2006 wave?
• Does HRS data suggest a change in prescription drug utilization since the creation of Medicare Part D?
• Are wellness data available?
• How useful do you feel it is to ask respondents how long they expect to live?
• Do you believe social factors are good determinants of an individual’s health?

CRS staff expressed interest in working with the HRS staff to get access to the restricted data. Dr. Weir explained the process in general terms and provided a one-page fact sheet on the process. CRS staff also expressed an interest in attending the HRS summer institute program at the University of Michigan.