Abstract

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Ninny Clients of the Nanny State? Selective Paternalism in Public Benefit Programs for Older Americans

Marshall B. Kapp
Southern Illinois University School of Law

Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2008

Abstract:
This article examines the incongruity of two conceptualizations of aging in contemporary America: older persons as adults capable (with adequate support) of exercising a high degree of self-determination by designing and managing important aspects of their own publicly financed long term care, on the one hand, versus older persons as decisionally incompetent ninnies requiring paternalistic micromanagement of their public health insurance and retirement income benefits, on the other.

Keywords: aging, elderly, healthcare, Medicare, retirement, Social Security

JEL Classifications: H55, 118, K32

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: May 31, 2008 ; Last revised: May 31, 2008

Suggested Citation

Kapp, Marshall B., Ninny Clients of the Nanny State? Selective Paternalism in Public Benefit Programs for Older Americans. Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2008. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1139113

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Contact Information

Marshall Kapp (Contact Author)

Southern Illinois University School of Law ( email )

1150 Douglas Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901-6804
United States
618-453-8741 (Phone)
618-453-3317 (Fax)