"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

♪♪] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MEDICARE.

THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS UNDERWAY AND CONTINUES THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER.

JOINING US TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IS AYSE TOKBAY WITH THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS SHIP.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: A DATA POINT NATIONALLY THE PERCENTAGE OF MEDICARE RECIPIENTS WHO DO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN IS AROUND 50%.

>> YES.

>> Jeff: IT IS A LOT DIFFERENT HERE.

>> YES.

IN OUR AREA IN MARYLAND AND THE SURROUNDING AREA, IT'S ABOUT 17% THAT IS A BIT OF A DIFFERENCE.

THE MARKETS AREN'T ALWAYS THE SAME WITH ADVANTAGE PLANS.

>> Jeff: WHAT WOULD ACCOUNTED FOR THAT?

A TERRIBLE MARKETING FAILURE BY THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PEOPLE?

>> I THINK A LOT OF TOTALLY NEGATE THAT THEORY THEY ARE GETTING A LOT OF MARKETING FOR SURE.

IT HAS TO DO MORE WITH WHERE WE ARE SITUATED.

WE HAVE GOVERNMENT IN OUR BACKYARD THERE'S A LOT OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES WHO DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO LOOK INTO HOW TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR MEDICARE INSURANCE AND THAT IS WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN THAT.

IF YOU WERE TO GO TO AREAS WHERE PEOPLE GO TO RETIRE YOU WOULD SEE INCREASE.

BUT HERE, WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE WHO NECESSARILY HAVE TO TAKE PART B LET ALONE WORRY ABOUT AN ADVANTAGE PLAN.

>> Jeff: AND THE REASON PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO FILL IN THE GAPS OF MEDICARE IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GAPS?

>> THERE ARE.

THERE'S A LOT OF GAPS.

I OBVIOUSLY DO THIS FOR A LIVING AND I TALK TO PEOPLE FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, SITUATIONS, A LOT OF PEOPLE RETIRING A LOT OF PEOPLE AGING IN MEDICARE.

AND ONE OF THE MORE COMMON THINGS I SEE IS SHOCK AT HOW COMPLICATED, HOW MANY MOVING PIECES THERE ARE.

HOW THE DIFFERENT PIECES ARE NOT ALIGNED.

THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE SAME SET OF RULES, DIFFERENT RULES.

IT IS NOT INTUITIVE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PRICE POINTS.

AND STILL OUT OF POCKET COSTS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK YOU PAY INTO IT AND I'M READY TO START MEDICARE AND THAT'S IT.

I'M LIKE WHOA, WHOA, NO.

>> Jeff: BUILDING A SYSTEM THIS COMPLICATED FOR OLDER FOLKS TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH IS MAYBE NOT A POINT OF PRIDE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND IT CREATED THE SHIP SYSTEM WHICH DOES PROVIDE FREE ASSISTANCE IN EVERY PART OF THE STATE.

>> THERE IS A SHIP IN EVERY COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND MAY GO BY A DIFFERENT NAME BUT AT THEIR HEART THEY ARE STILL A SHIP.

WHAT WE CALL THEM.

SO THERE IS LOCAL HELP.

SHIPS WERE ESTABLISHED WHEN MEDICARE STARTED BECOMING MORE COMPLICATED AND WHEN THEY INTRODUCED SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES.

AND THEY DECIDED THEY ARE GOING TO CREATE THIS PROGRAM THAT'S GOING TO HELP PEERS.

SO WE RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS THEY ARE USUALLY RETIRED PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE PROCESS.

AND WE TRAIN THEM TO BECOME COUNSELORS AND PEOPLE COME IN AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

>> Jeff: REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION MEDICARE RELATED, SEND AN E-MAIL TO LIVE QUESTIONS@MPT.ORG.

AND WE'LL TRY TO GET YOU AN ANSWER.

WHAT ARE THE QUESTIONS YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE?

>> A LOST OF QUESTIONS.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

EVEN WHEN YOU LEARN IT, I KNOW WHEN I FIRST STARTED LEARNING THIS IT TOOK ME A GOOD SIX MONTHS TO START FEELING LIKE OKAY IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO ME.

BUT PEOPLE ASK A LOT ABOUT ADVANTAGE PLANS.

PEOPLE ARE PETRIFIED OF THE PART B PENALTY THEY ARE DOUBLE-CHECKING EVEN IF YOU'VE JUST FINISHED TEACHING A SEGMENT HOW THAT PART B PENALTY WORKS, WITHOUT FAIL GET PEOPLE KIND OF VERIFYING.

LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY.

AND I JUST THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION.

PEOPLE TEND TO LISTEN TO RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

AND WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND NECESSARILY IS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF NUANCE TO MEDICARE.

YOUR FRIEND CAN SAY I GOT THIS GREAT DEAL AND I HEAR THAT A LOT.

HOW COME MY FRIEND MY SISTER, HOW COME MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, AND IT'S LIKE WELL, I DON'T KNOW THEIR SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO DEPENDING ON YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, MEDICARE CAN LOOK OR FEEL VERY DIFFERENT TO YOU THAN IT IS TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE THE TRAPS IN THAT?

I READ ABOUT SOMETHING AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS AND IT MAY HAVE HAD TO DO WITH LIKE SIGNING UP MAYBE IT WAS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR A APP OR THING AND YOU DEVELOP A PREEXISTING CONDITION OR A CONDITION THEY CONSIDER PREEXISTING AND YOU TRY TO SWITCH PLANS AND YOU KNTSD'S?

>> IT HAS TO DO PARTS OF THE MEDICARE AND THIS IS WHERE IT STARTS TO GET TECHNICAL THERE IS NO UNDERWRITING.

WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES THERE CAN BE MEDICAL UNDERWRITING.

THERE ARE PROTECTIVE WINDOWS.

WHEN YOU ARE NEW TO MEDICARE.

AND IF I SAY, YOU KNOW, IF I JUST HAD A HEART TRANSPLANTS OR AN IRON LUNG, I HAD A BRAIN TUMOR THEY CANNOT ASK ME ANYTHING ABOUT THAT AND IT HAS TO SELL ME A POLICY AT THE BEST RATE AS IF I WAS THE HEALTHIEST PERSON IN THE UNIVERSE.

ONCE YOU ARE OUTSIDE THAT WINDOW THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

AND WHAT YOU SEE IS TIME GOES ON, PEOPLE NORMALLY START TO CALL US, LIKE I GET CALLS A LOT FOR PEOPLE LATER IN THEIR AGING LIFE AND THEN THEY CALL US AND THEY'LL SAY THIS IS GETTING EXPENSIVE.

I WANT TO SHOP AROUND.

AND A LOT OF TIMES AT THAT POINT YOU MIGHT HAVE MORE CONDITIONS, YOU'RE OLDER YOU ARE CONSIDERED MORE OF A RISK AND THAT IS WHEN IT GETS TRICKY.

I EXPERIENCED THAT WITH MY OWN FATHER WHO DIDN'T LISTEN TO HIS DAUGHTER AND WAS LIKE I'M HEALTHY I DON'T NEED A SUPPLEMENT I WILL SAVE MONEY IT WILL BE FINE.

AND THEN HE GOT REALLY SICK AND WHEN HE NEEDED ONE NO ONE WOULD SELL HIM A POLICY BECAUSE HE WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

>> Jeff: AT THAT POINT YOU HAVE BASIC MEDICARE A AND B WHICH IS HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS?

>> YES.

ONE IS INPATIENT FOR WHEN YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED AND THE OTHER IS FOR YOUR OUTPATIENT REGULAR MEDICAL SERVICES.

SO THAT THERE'S NO UNDERWRITING.

ONCE YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THOSE PARTS OF MEDICARE AND YOU MEET THE CRITERIA OF YOUR AGE AND STATUS IN THIS COUNTRY, YOU CAN ENROLL IN THAT AND NOBODY IS GOING TO DENY YOU THAT.

BUT IT'S THE OTHER PARTS WHERE IT CAN GET TRICKY LIKE THE METHODDY GAP POLICIES.

>> Jeff: WHAT ABOUT THE PERSONALITY IS IF YOU DON'T SIGN UP AT 65.

>> IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR AGE.

IT'S REALLY WHICH ARE YOU AVOIDING IT.

IF I HAVE OTHER INSURANCE LIKE I'M CURRENTLY WORKING AND I TURN 65 AND I PLAN TO KEEP -- AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORKING WAY BEYOND 65 -- IF I DECIDE I'M GOING TO RETIRE AT 72, IF I DIDN'T TAKE PART B WHEN I TURNED 65 BECAUSE I HAD CURRENT EMPLOYER INSURANCE I'M NOT GOING TO BE PENALIZED FOR THAT.

OR I RESIRE AT 65 BUT MY SPOUSE IS IT STILL WORKING AND I'M ON THEIR INSURANCE, I WILL NOT BE PENALIZED.

IF I DECIDE I TURN 65 AND I DON'T HAVE ANY INSURANCE AND I SAY, WELL, I'VE BEEN HEALTHY I'M GOING TO SAVE MONEY AND MAYBE I WILL DEFER THIS FOR A YEAR THEN YOU WILL GET A PENALTY.

>> Jeff: E-MAIL QUESTION AND POINT FROM A VIEWER.

I WILL START WITH THE SECOND PART.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS DON'T TRAVEL VERY WELL.

AND MANY DC AREA PEOPLE ARE GEOGRAPHICALLY MOBILE, MAYBE THAT IS PART OF IT.

AND THE FIRST PART, EMPLOYERS CONTINUE SECONDARY COVERAGE AFTER RETIREMENT.

SO FOR PEOPLE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THAT SORT OF COVERAGE, HOW COULD THAT INTERFACE WITH MEDICARE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT I TALKED ABOUT IN THE BEGINNING TALKING ABOUT THE STATISTICS.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF I AM A FEDERAL RETIREE, I STILL GETTING INSURANCE THROUGH MY EMPLOYER.

I HAVE RETIREE COVERAGE THROUGH THEM AND PERHAPS I SIGN UP FOR PART A BECAUSE IT'S PREMIUM FREE I'VE PAID INTO IT IT IS NOT A GREAT SECONDARY INSURANCE BUT IT DOESN'T HURT SO WHY NOT.

PART B IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

WE GET FEDERAL RETIREES WHO QUESTION SHOULD THEY TAKE PART B OR NOT TAKE PART B AND WE SAY TO BE OR NOT TO BE.

>> Jeff: THAT IS USEFUL.

>> BUT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IS IT WORTH IT.

IS ME PURCHASING ANOTHER INSURANCE AND PAYING ANOTHER PREMIUM WORTH WHAT IT'S GOING TO SAVE ME AND HOW IT COORDINATES WITH MY CURRENT INSURANCE.

AND THEN THERE'S OTHER THINGS NUANCES TO THAT, TOO.

A LOT OF TIMES RETIREES ARE PUT OFF BY THE PART B PREMIUM IF YOU MAKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU HAVE TO PAY MORE.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY LOOK AND LIKE I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT THAT.

THERE'S NO RIGHT ANSWER.

IT'S HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT.

I'VE MET PEOPLE WITH B AND THEY LOVE IT.

AND I'VE MET PEOPLE WHO DON'T TAKE IT AND THEY ARE JUST AS HAPPY.

>> Jeff: PRESCRIPTIONS?

WHY DO PRESCRIPTIONS BECOME MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE IN 2025?

IS THAT THE CASE?

SOMETHING IS GETTING BETTER IN 25.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE AND EVEN IF THEY DO, THERE IS -- IT IS A NEW THING THAT IS HAPPENING IN 2025.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT.

I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEIR MEDICATIONS AND IN 2025 THERE'S GOING TO BE A $2,000 CAP FOR YOUR OUT OF POCKET SPENDING AT THE PHARMACY WHEN YOU PICK UP YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS.

SO IF YOU HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF REALLY EXPENSIVE DRUGS AND YOU'VE SPENT MORE THAN $2,000 THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE CASE IN 2025.

>> Jeff: HOW DO YOU GET THAT?

CAN YOU GET THAT WITH AN ADVANTAGE PLAN OR GET THAT BY HAVING PARTS A, B AND D?

>> IT IS YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE EITHER A STAND-ALONE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN OR IT'S GOING TO BE THE DRUG PLAN EMBEDDED IN THE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

IF YOU ARE GETTING YOUR MEDICATIONS THROUGH YOUR USING MEDICARE INSURANCE TO GET PRESCRIPTION DRUGS YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND MORE THAN $2,000.

>> Jeff: THIS QUESTION FROM JOHN, REALLY GETS TO THE HEART OF THIS.

HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN ADVANTAGE AND SUPPLEMENT?

SAID HE CALLED MEDICARE AND IT DIDN'T'S GO WELL.

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER THAT QUESTION?

>> I ALWAYS FEEL WHEN I SAY THAT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET ME ONE DAY.

MY RESPONSE IS ALWAYS IT DEPENDS.

THERE IS A LOT OF MOVING PIECES.

AND A LOT OF VARIABLES.

HONESTLY IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY REALLY SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES I DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO FIND YOUR LOCAL SHIP FOR HELP.

I SAY THIS THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER.

THERE IS A TRADE-OFF TO BOTH.

WHAT PEOPLE LIKE ABOUT GETTING A SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY, I THINK THAT PREVIOUS QUESTION KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT, LIKE HOW ADVANTAGE PLANS DON'T TRAVEL WELL.

BUT PEOPLE WHO GET SUPPLEMENTEDS I SAY THAT PATH WHICH WE CALL ORIGINAL MEDICARE IS A DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO PATH AND PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A NETWORK.

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A REFERRAL IF I HAVE A CARDIOLOGIST I CAN GO SEE HIM AND AS LONG AS IT'S MEDICALLY NECESSARY IT'S GOING TO BE COVERED.

>> Jeff: THIS IS READY VANILLA MEDICARE.

>> AND THEN IF YOU GET A SUPPLEMENTAL IT TRAVELS WELL.

NO NETWORK.

IF YOU VISIT YOUR KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY PART OF THE YEAR OR TRAVEL A LOT WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, YOU ARE NOT WORRYING ABOUT NO, WHO AM I GOING TO GO TO.

AS LONG AS THEY TAKE MEDICARE THAT SUPPLEMENT TRAVELS WITH YOU.

BUT ADVANTAGE PLANS IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

IT'S GOT RULES.

SO YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MISS OUT ON ANY OF MEDICARE'S PROTECTIONS OR RIGHTS AS YOU WOULD IF YOU WERE GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH MEDICARE.

BUT IN THIS MANAGED CARE, THE COMPANIES ARE BEING PAID A SET AMOUNT PER BENEFICIARY.

AND THEN IT'S UP TO THEM TO MANAGE YOUR HEALTHCARE.

AND THAT'S THE THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A PROFIT OFF THAT.

THEY MAY REQUIRE REFERRALS BEFORE YOU GO SEE A SPECIALIST.

THEY ARE GOING TO ESSENTIALLY, GUIDE YOU THROUGH EVERYTHING.

THEY HAVE CERTAIN RULES.

YOU ARE GOING TO STAY IN A NETWORK.

YOU ARE GOING TO USE THEIR PROVIDERS.

SOME FORCE YOU TO STAY IN NETWORK.

IF YOU TRAVEL, LISTEN IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND YOU ARE HAVING A HEART ATTACK IT DOESN'T MATTER IN NETWORK.

IF I SPRAIN MY ANKLE IN CALIFORNIA I MIGHT HAVE TO CALL THEM TO SAY, HEY HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF THIS AND FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTIONS.

>> Jeff: MAYBE ONE WAY TO APPROACH THESE UNANSWERABLE QUESTIONS WHERE THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER, IS REGRET AVOIDANCE.

SO IF I'M GOING TO MAKE A DIFFICULT DECISION MAYBE I WANT TO MINIMIZE MY CHANCES OF MAKING A MISTAKE.

WHAT ARE THE MISTAKES YOU SEE PEOPLE MAKE AND REGRET AND YOU WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE DON'T DO THAT?

>> THERE'S TWO THING I SEE.

YOU KNOW, AND THIS KIND OF TOUCHING ON THIS QUESTION AS WELL.

WHAT PEOPLE DON'T LIKE ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES IS THERE IS ANOTHER SET PREMIUM WHERE I'M USING THE SERVICES OR NOT.

AND WHILE THAT'S ALSO TRUE FOR ADVANTAGE PLANS THEY CAN BE LOWER NOT ALWAYS BUT THERE ARE LOWER COST OPTIONS.

AND THAT'S WHERE I SEE PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT AND IN ALL FAIRNESS, SOMETIMES IT'S NECESSITY.

SOMETIMES IS YOU CAN'T AFFORD A SUPPLEMENT AND I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WILL SEE THE MARKETING OR TALK TO AN AGENT AND SAY IT IS A ZERO PREMIUM.

AND THEY ARE HERE ABOUT THERE'S DENTAL AND VISION IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGES AND THOSE ARE SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS.

I'M NOT SAYING THEY ARE NOT IMPORTANT TO HAVE BUT UNLESS YOU ARE PAYING AN ADDITIONAL FEE THEY ARE VERY BASIC IT'S NOT A ROOT CANAL IT IS A CLEANING AND THESE ARE SUPPLEMENTAL THINGS.

I SEE PEOPLE MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON THAT.

AND WHEN THEY HAVE REAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS LIKE THEY NEED TO THEY GET CANCER AND IN AND OUT OF HOSPITALS AND NEED TREATMENTS.

THAT IS WHEN THE CHARGES START ACCRUING.

HEALTHCARE IS MOST AFFORDABLE WHEN YOU ARE HEALTHY AND NOT USING IT.

AND WHEN YOU ARE IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL THEY SEE THE PRICE TAG ADDING UP AND THEY JUST DIDN'T DO THE HOMEWORK TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WOULD MEAN.

>> Jeff: VIEWER WOULD LIKE ME TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE INCOME TIERS FOR MEDICARE PART B?

>> THERE IS -- IT'S DON'T ASK ME TO TELL YOU ON THE SPOT.

>> Jeff: GENERALLY WHAT IS IT?

>> SO THERE IS IT'S WHAT I TALKED ABOUT WITH SOMETIMES A CONCERN WITH FEDERAL RETIREES WHETHER THEY WANT TO TAKE PART B IF YOU ARE NOT A FEDERAL RETIREE AND YOU JUST HAVE MEDICARE YOU ARE FACING THIS ISSUE, TOO.

THERE ARE INCOME TIERING AND YOU WILL PAY A HIGHER PREMIUM FOR PART B AND YOUR DRUG COVERAGE AS WELL DEPENDING ON YOUR INCOME BRACKET AND THAT IS WHERE YOU FALL IN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO RETIRE GET NERVOUS WELL I'M RETIRING.

MY INCOME IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME.

AND SOCIAL SECURITY DETERMINES THAT BASED ON YOUR INCOME TAX FROM TWO YEARS AGO.

BUT YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY WHOSE INCOME IS DECREASING AS A RESULT OF RETIRING OR NO LONGER WORKING YOU CAN TELL THEM AND THEY WILL MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ACCORDINGLY.

>> Jeff: BEST WAY FOR SOMEBODY TO GET RELIABLE HELP.

THE SHIP PROGRAM CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE?

>> 1-800-MEDICARE.

THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU THE TECHNICAL, CORRECT ANSWER TO THINGS.

WE USE MEDICARE'S WEBSITE A LOT AND REFER PEOPLE TO MEDICARE'S WEBSITE.

THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF BUILDING ON THAT AND MAKING IT A LOT MORE USER FRIENDLY.

TO PEOPLE AND HELPING THEM NAVIGATE IT.

THAT'S ANOTHER GOOD SOURCE AS WELL.

>> Jeff: VERY GOOD.

AYSE TOKBAY PROGRAM MANAGER WITH HOWARD COUNTY'S STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR SHIP.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: ON THE BOOK BEAT THIS WEEK THE POLITICS OF "THE POLITICS OF GEN Z: HOW THE YOUNGEST VOTERS WILL SHAPE OUR DEMOCRACY".

WE'RE JOINED BY THE AUTHOR MELISSA DECKMAN WHO IS THE C.E.O.

OF THE PUBLIC RELIGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK ON MPT.

REFRESH EVERYBODY'S MEMORIES IF YOU WOULD WHICH ONE IS GENERATION Z?

AND WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THEM?

>> YEAH, GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU.

AMERICANS BORN BETWEEN THE YEARS 1997-2012.

IF WE ARE LOOKING AT ADULTS VOTING AGE POPULATION IT WOULD BE AMERICANS WHO ARE BETWEEN 18-27 ROUGHLY.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THEM IS THAT THEY ARE A GENERATION WHERE THE GENDER DYNAMICS ARE FASCINATING.

MY BOOK EXAMINES HOW GENDER RESPONSES THE BEHAVIOR OF THIS GENERATION AND I FIND FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT GEN Z WOMEN ARE OUTPERFORMING GEN Z MEN.

HISTORICALLY MEN HAVE BEEN MORE LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS THAN WOMEN AND WE ARE SEEING THE REVERSE.

IT'S INTERESTING AND HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR POLITICS GOING FORWARD.

>> Jeff: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS DRIVING THAT, THE GENDER SIDE?

>> SO GENERATION Z WHEN THEY CAME OF AGE POLITICALLY DURING THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

THE ELECTION OF DONALD TRUMP FOR MANY GEN Z WOMEN WAS SHOCKING HERE WAS A MAN SAYING MISOGYNISTIC THINGS, AND BEAT THE NOMINEE IN THAT ELECTION AND COUPLE THAT WITH THE ME TOO MOVEMENT WHICH HAS HAD A INFLUENCE ON YOUNG WOMEN BOTH OF THOSE EVENTS TOLD THEM THAT SEXISM IS NOT A THING OF THE PAST AND MADE GENDER EQUALITY A DEFINING PRIORITY.

THEY CARE ABOUT IT MORE THAN YUCK MEN AND OLDER AMERICAN WOMEN.

>> Jeff: HOW IMPORTANT WILL THEY BE ON ELECTION DAY?

HISTORICALLY, THE YOUNGEST GROUP OF VOTERS MAYBE ANIMATED, BUT SOMEHOW DOESN'T ACTUALLY GET TO THE POLLS THAT MUCH?

>> YEAH, THIS IS ANOTHER FEATURE THAT IS NOTABLE.

THE LAST THREE FEDERAL ELECTION CYCLES, THEY'VE OUTPERFORMED IN TERMS OF SHOWING UP TO THE POLLS COMPARED TO OLDER GENERATIONS OF YOUNG AMERICANS.

IN FACT IN 202050% OF THE YOUTH VOTE VOTERS 18-29 TURNED OUT TO VOTE.

50% IS NOT AS MUCH AS OLDER GENERATIONS BUT COMPARED IN THE 2016 IT WAS ONLY 39%.

WE'VE SEEN IN GENERATION Z A TENDENCY TO OUTPERFORM WHEN IT COMES TO SHOWING UP AT THE POLLS.

AND HOW THEY VOTE, THIS IS ALSO NOTABLE AND THIS IS WHERE THAT GENDER GAP IS SOMETHING TO WATCH.

IN THE LAST ELECTION IN 2022 IN THE MIDTERMS AN ELECTION THAT WAS LARGELY DEFINED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE ROE DECISION, WE SAW THAT GEN Z WOMEN 72% CAST THEIR BALLOTS FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

NOW, GEN Z MEN ARE NOT SUDDENLY BECOMING A LOT MORE REPUBLICAN NECESSARILY MANY 54% VOTED FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

BUT CERTAINLY THAT GENDER GAP IN PARTICIPATION WE FIND EXTENDS TO THE WAY THAT GEN Z VOTES AS WELL.

IN THIS ELECTION I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE THAT GEN Z WOMEN ARE GOING TO COME OUT STRONGLY FOR KAMALA HARRIS.

AND I THINK GEN Z MEN IT WILL BE MORE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THEY SHAKE UP.

BUT I SUSPECT THEY WILL BE TRENDING MORE DEMOCRATIC THAN REPUBLICAN.

THEY CERTAINLY AS YOU NOTED DON'T TURNOUT AT THE SAME RATES AS OLDER AMERICANS.

>> Jeff: THIS IS A GROUP THAT IS MORE DIVERSE ETD NIKOLAI AS IS THE NATION?

>> YES.

SO AMONG GENERATION Z ROUGHLY ONE IN TWO ARE NONWHITE.

AND I THINK THEY ARE DIVERSITY IN TERMS OF RACIAL ETHNIC LINES SPEAKS TO THE PRIORITIES THEY HAVE AS A POLITICAL ACTIVISTS.

ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND SHAPERS FOR GENERATION Z IN TERMS OF POLITICS WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT I THINK THAT HELPED TO GALVANIZE STRONG LEVELS OF SUPPORT FOR JOE BIDEN AND IT BROUGHT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE OUT TO THE POLLS.

>> Jeff: THIS MAYBE A SOCIOLOGY QUESTION BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN GEN Z IDENTIFYING AS LGBTQ IS OFF THE CHARTS COMPARED TO PREVIOUS GENERATIONS.

>> YEAH.

WE FIND THAT PRI WE DID A STUDY THAT CAME OUT THIS YEAR, AND WE ASKED YOUNG AMERICANS THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION GENDER IDENTITY WE FOUND THAT ONE IN FOUR ZOOMERS IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ FAR HIGHER RATES THAN OLDER AMERICANS EVEN MILLENNIALS.

AND WE FIND THAT 30% OF GEN Z WOMEN IDENTIFY AS QUEER COMPARED OF 18% OF MEN.

THIS SHAPED THE POLITICAL PRIORITIES OF THIS GENERATION.

GEN Z WOMEN CARE ABOUT LGBTQ EQUALITY.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS IN STATE LEGISLATURES TO LIMIT DISCUSSION ABOUT LGBTQ THINGS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THERE'S BEEN HEATED DEBATES OVER WHETHER YOUNG TRANS AMERICANS CAN GET ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE.

AND SO ALL OF THOSE ISSUES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO THIS YOUNGER GENERATION OF VOTERS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST DIVERSE AMONG LGBTQ LINES.

>> Jeff: ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ABOUT THE IDEA OF YOUNG VOTERS BEING MORE PROGRESSIVE?

THAT IS AN OLD TRADITION, ISN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

THAT'S KIND OF I THINK AN OFTEN STATED TRUISM FOR MANY PEOPLE THAT ISN'T JUST YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LIBERAL AND AS THEY GET OLDER THEY WILL BECOME MORE CONSERVATIVE.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE YOUTH VOTE AS BEING IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT IN TERMS OF GENERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE YOUNGER YOU ARE FORMING YOUR CORE POLITICAL IDENTITY IN LOTS OF WAYS.

KNOWING HOW SOMEONE VOTES WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG IS PREDICTIVE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE IN 20, 30, 40 YEARS.

GEN-X MY GENERATION YOU HAVE MORE REPUBLICANS COMPARED TO GEN Z'S OR MILLENNIALS AND THAT IS BECAUSE THEIR YEARS WERE DURING THE REAGAN ERA WHEN THE COUNTRY WAS DOING WELL ECONOMICALLY.

POPULAR THEME THAT REAGAN RAN ON.

I THINK THE WAY THAT YOU FORM YOUR IDEAS AS A YOUNG PERSON THOSE IMPRESSIONAL YEARS CAN MATTER FOR DECADES TO COME.

NOT TO SAY THAT SOME SORT OF DEFINING EVENTS MIGHT HAPPEN.

9/11 WAS A EVENT THAT SHIFTED THE PARTIES POLITICALLY.

IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE BUT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE YOUNGER PEOPLE WILL VOTE MORE DEMOCRATIC AND EMBRACE MORE PROGRESSIVE POLITICS.

>> Jeff: AND THEY ARE NOT WATCHING THE NETWORK EVENING NEWSCAST.

IT'S ALL SOCIAL MEDIA OR CLOSE TO IT.

>> GENERATION Z HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS BEEN CHRONICALLY ON-LINE AND I CAN ATTEST TO THAT.

MANY PEOPLE WATCHING THE SHOW.

WE DO KNOW THAT GENERATION Z IS THE FIRST GENERATION THAT PRODUCES AND CONSUMES IT'S ONUS INFORMATION ON-LINE.

WHICH IS MAYBE BOTH GOOD AND BAD.

I THINK FROM A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA HAS ALLOWED YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ENGAGED AT HIGHER LEVELS THAN SAY AMERICANS WHEN THEY WERE THEIR AGE.

IT ACTS AS AN ACCELERANT FOR POLITICAL ACTIVISM.

THE DOWNSIDE USING SOCIAL MEDIA AS THE MAIN SOURCE OF YOUR NEWS AND INFORMATION IS THAT IT LEADS PEOPLE TO FOLLOW ECOCHAMBERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TUNING INTO SOURCES OF INFORMATION THAT REINFORCE THEIR OWN BIASES AND NOT LEARNING ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE.

IN A DEMOCRACY IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VARIETY OF VIEWPOINTS SHAPING YOUR INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POLITICS.

>> Jeff: THE BOOK IS "THE POLITICS OF GEN Z: HOW THE YOUNGEST VOTERS WILL SHAPE OUR DEMOCRACY".

MELISSA DECKMAN THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS.

JOIN US FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS VIDEO.MPT.TV.

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪]