Boomers: Crisis or Catalyst?

We all know that the Boomer generation, by its sheer numbers and projected utilization, will change our healthcare system forever.

But will Boomer's burgeoning medical demands foment a healthcare crisis? Or will they use their clout to demand and drive much-needed reform?
Recently I saw a television commercial for "Divided We Fail." It led me to a grassroots campaign that's growing rapidly right under our feet. 
AARP has joined forces with organizations that represent 53 million Americans to fight bipartisan gridlock over healthcare reform. They've put together a communications arsenal that includes everything you'd expect and  a lot more. A distinctive brand and icon. Invitations to sign a pledge. Town meetings. Personal stories of healthcare strife. A stirring anthem sung by Aretha Franklin. Voter registration. Opt-in for e-newsletters. YouTube. V-cards. E-cards. And links galore, all at www.DividedWeFail.org.
The July/August issue of AARP: The Magazine shouts a battle cry for healthcare reform. The article calls out provocative statistics on American healthcare:
  • $500 billion is spent annually on unnecessary care.
  • 30,00 Medicare recipients die each year as the result of unneeded care.
  • 50% of surgeries, test and procedures are not backed by scientific evidence.
They're rallying the readers of the "world's largest circulation magazine" to take a stand and make a difference.
As the presidential election approaches, the Divided We Fail movement will surely spread like wildfire. The other half of their motto is "together we can do anything."
I agree. Intuition tells me that collectively the Boomers will become a catalyst for change long before they become a burden of catastrophic proportions. 
What do you think? Will the Boomers help sink the system or save it?
— Tom DeSanto 

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