A. “Medicare Part D Spending Trends: Understanding Key Drivers and the Role of Competition,” by Jack Hoadley (May 2012, .pdf format, 20p.).
B. “Prescription Drug Procurement and the Federal Budget,” by Richard G. Frank (May 2012, .pdf format, 14p.).
May 8, 2012
CAAR – Center for Retirement Research at Boston College Brief – May 8, 2012
“The Funding of State and Local Pensions: 2011-2015,” by Alicia H. Munnell, Jean-Pierre Aubry, Joshua Hurwitz, Madeline Medenica and Laura Quinby (SLP No. 24, May 2012, .pdf format, 14p.).
crr.bc.edu/briefs/the-funding-of-state-and-local-pensions-2011-2015/
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CAAR – Journal of the American Medical Association Article Abstract – May 8, 2012
“Sex Differences in Stroke Risk Among Older Patients With Recently Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation,” by Meytal Avgil Tsadok, Cynthia A. Jackevicius, Elham Rahme, Karin H. Humphries, Hassan Behlouli, and Louise Pilote (Vol. 307, No. 18, May 9, 2012, p. 1952-1958).
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CAAR – Nature Medicine Article Abstract – May 8, 2012
“NLRP3 has a protective role in age-related macular degeneration through the induction of IL-18 by drusen components,” by Sarah L. Doyle, Matthew Campbell, Ema Ozaki, Robert G. Salomon, Andres Mori, Paul F. Kenna, Gwyneth Jane Farrar, Anna-Sophia Kiang, Marian M. Humphries, Ed C. Lavelle, Luke A. J. O’Neill, Joe G. Hollyfield & Peter Humphries (Vol. 18, No. 5, May 2012, p. 791-798).
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CAAR – Public Library of Science (PLoS) Article – May 8, 2012
“Fall Classification by Machine Learning Using Mobile Phones,” by Mark V. Albert, Konrad Kording, Megan Herrmann, and Arun Jayaraman (PLoS ONE 7(5): e36556. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036556, XML, HTML, and .pdf format, 6p.).
www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0036556
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CAAR – Pension Research Council, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Working Paper – May 8, 2012
Note: PRC requires free registration before providing working papers. “Participating Payout Life Annuities – Lessons from Germany,” by Raimond Maurer, Ralph Rogalla, and Ivonne Siegelin (WP2012-03, 2012, .pdf format, 32p.).
Abstract:
This paper analyzes the regulatory framework of German immediate participating payout life annuities (PLAs), which offer guaranteed minimum benefits as well as participation in insurers’ surpluses. Our particular focus lies on the mechanics of sharing surpluses between shareholders and policyholders. We show that the process of surplus determination, allocation, and distribution mostly follows transparent and clear rules, and that an insurance company’s management has limited leeway with respect to discretionary decision making. Subsequently, we develop an Asset Liability Model for a German life insurer that offers PLAs. Based on this model, we run Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate benefit variability and insurer stability under stochastic mortality and capital market developments. Our results suggest that through PLAs guaranteed benefits can be provided with high credibility, while, at the same time, annuitants receive attractive Money’s Worth Ratios. Moreover, we show that it might be difficult to offer a fixed benefit annuity providing the same lifetime utility as a PLA for the same premium and a comparably low insolvency risk. Overall, participating life annuity schemes may be an efficient way to deal with risk factors that are highly unpredictable and difficult to hedge over the long run, such as systematic mortality and investment risks.
www.pensionresearchcouncil.org/publications/document.php?file=995
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CAAR – AARP International Conference Page – May 8, 2012
“8th World Conference of Gerontechnology,” (June 26-29, 2012, Eindhoven, Netherlands).
www.aarpinternational.org/events/8th-world-conference-of-gerontechnology
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CAAR – Table of Contents – May 8, 2012
European Review of Aging and Physical Activity (Vol. 9, No. 1, April 2012).
www.springerlink.com/content/1813-7253/9/1/?MUD=MP
Health Affairs (Vol. 31, No. 5, May 2012).
content.healthaffairs.org/content/vol31/issue5/index.dtl?etoc
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CAAR – US Department of Justice News Release – May 8, 2012
“Abbott Labs to Pay $1.5 Billion to Resolve Criminal and Civil Investigations of Off-label Promotion of Depakote: Company Maintained Specialized Sales Force to Market Drug for Off Label Purposes; Targeted Elderly Dementia Patients in Nursing Homes” (May 7, 2012). At the bottom of the news release, there ar links to various topical court documents (.pdf format).
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CAAR – General Social Survey Call for Proposals to Add Questions to the 2014 GSS – May 8, 2012
“University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center has announced: “The General Social Survey invites proposals to add questions to its anticipated 2014 survey. Proposals will accepted on the basis of scientific quality and scholarly interest. Outside funding is not necessary. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 15, 2012.” For more information see (.pdf format, 5p.):
publicdata.norc.org:41000/gss/documents/OTHR/Module%20Competition.pdf
More information about GSS:
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CAAR – Institute of Medicine Monograph – May 8, 2012
Geographic Adjustment in Medicare Payment: Phase I: Improving Accuracy, Second Edition, edited by Margaret Edmunds and Frank A. Sloan (National Academies Press, 2012, OpenBook and .pdf format, 206p.). Ordering information for a print copy is available at the site. Note: NAP requires free registration before providing a .pdf copy.
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