WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE AUTHORIZED.

SEC. 201. WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE AUTHORIZED. (a) Findings.—The Congress finds that— (1) the number of individuals 55 years of age or older was approximately 51,400,000 in 1986, and will, by the year 2040, be approximately 101,700,000, 101 STAT. 968 (2) more than 1 of every 6 persons 55 years of age or older will be hospitalized during the next year, (3) persons 55 years of age or older have a higher average out-of-pocket medical cost burden than younger persons; approximately 17 percent of individuals age 55 to 64 experience out-of-pocket costs in excess of 20 percent of their family income and the average per capita out-of-pocket cost of persons 65 years of age or older is expected to equal 18.5 percent of income by 1991, (4) there is a great need to ensure access and the quality of affordable health care to all older individuals, (5) the need for a comprehensive and responsive long-term care delivery system is great, (6) the availability and cost of suitable housing, together with suitable services needed for independent or semi-independent living, still cause concern to older individuals, (7) the ability to lead an independent or semi-independent life is contingent, in many cases, upon the availability of a comprehensive and effective socia service system for older individuals, (8) the availability and access to opportunities for continued productivity and employment is of great importance to middle-aged and older individuals who want or need to work, (9) the fulfillment, dignity, and satisfaction of retirees still depend on the continuing development of a consistent national retirement policy, (10) there is a continuing need to maintain and preserve the national policy with respect to increasing, coordinating, and expediting biomedical and other appropriate research directed at determining the causes and effects of the aging process, (11) false stereotypes about aging and the process of aging continue to be prevalent throughout the United States and policies should be nurtured to overcome such stereotypes, and (12) the talents and experience of older individuals represent a valuable community resource which should be developed and more widely shared within the local community. (b) Policy.—It is the policy of the Congress that— (1) the Federal Government should work jointly with the States and their citizens to develop recommendations and plans for action to meet the challenges and needs of older individuals, consistent with the objectives of this section, and (2) in developing programs for the aging pursuant to this section emphasis should be directed toward individual, private, and public initiatives and resources intended to enhance the economic security and selfsufficiency of elder Americans.