What if we live to 150? Verma, Daniels discuss during Ideas Festival presentation

Seema Verma of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services speaks as President Mitch Daniels listens during one of Purdue's Ideas Festival events. This conversation explored aspects of the Health, Longevity & Quality of Life theme, one of four in the Ideas Festival. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca Wilcox) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — On a personal level, living to age 150 sounds great. But what impact will such longevity have on the family and society? Besides the challenge of managing the holiday season with four, five or six generations of a family crowded around a table, there will be significant issues to address. 

At what age would people retire? Will there be enough food and livable space for everyone? How will programs for the elderly adjust to the strain of the growing older population?

Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the nation’s largest health insurer for seniors discussed such issues during an appearance Monday (Oct. 22) at Purdue. Verma joined Purdue President Mitch Daniels for an hourlong conversation in Stewart Center’s Loeb Playhouse.

Verma’s presentation is aligned with Purdue's Giant Leaps Sesquicentennial Campaign and is part of the Ideas Festival theme, giant leaps in health, longevity and quality of life. The Ideas Festival is the centerpiece of the campaign and connects world-renowned speakers and Purdue expertise in a conversation on the most critical problems and opportunities facing the world.

For more than 20 years, Verma has guided healthcare policy in the public and private sectors. In her current role with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Verma works to reduce regulations so doctors and providers can focus on providing high quality health-care to patients. She supports solutions that improve healthcare quality, accessibility and outcomes for states while driving down costs. Verma’s goal is to create value for patients by empowering them to become healthcare consumers with access to pricing and outcome transparencies that allow them to shop for providers who provide the best care at the lowest price; deliver innovative, transformative care; and leverage technological efficiencies. 

Writer: Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu