What We Do
Our family of nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations combines applied medical research, advocacy, policy analysis and high-impact grantmaking to improve care, lower costs and enhance the aging experience for seniors and all Americans.
Solving Problems with High-Impact Grantmaking and Investments
The Gary and Mary West Foundation was established in 2006 and is solely funded by successful entrepreneurs turned philanthropists Gary and Mary West. It is one of only handful of foundations solely dedicated to improving aging.
Learn MoreTurning Research and Evidence into Action
The West Health Institute conducts applied medical research on models of care for seniors that improve quality and lower costs across a range of settings including hospitals, community-based organizations, and their own homes.
Learn MoreConnecting Best Practices to Public Policy
The West Health Policy Center researches and analyzes proposals and solutions that slow the trajectory of rising healthcare costs while improving access to high-quality care for our nation’s growing population of seniors.
Learn MoreWe are committed to tackling two of the biggest issues facing Americans today—the health, financial, and social insecurity of seniors and the outrageous and skyrocketing cost of healthcare.
GARY WEST
FOUNDER
Areas of Focus
Featured Initiative
California’s Master Plan for Aging
The Master Plan for Aging reimagines aging in California and outlines solutions that span healthcare, social services, transportation, nutrition, housing, and long-term care. West Health has been involved in its development since the beginning. Through this landmark public-private partnership, we worked alongside other community leaders and state officials in providing recommendations and resources that enable successful aging for all Californians.
| 5 Bold Goals |
23 Strategies |
123 Action-Ready Initiatives |
What's At Stake
A set of some of the most eye-popping findings from West Health's original research.
135 MILLION WORRIED ABOUT AFFORDING CARE
135 million American adults are worried that they will eventually be priced out of healthcare if they are not already, according to research conducted by West Health and Gallup in March of 2021.
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$88 BILLION BORROWED FROM RETIREMENT SAVINGS
Americans collectively borrowed an estimated $88 billion to pay for healthcare in a given year, with over 4 million Americans borrowing more than $5,000, according to research conducted by West Health and Gallup.
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1.1 MILLION SENIOR LIVES AT RISK
1.1 million Medicare patients could die prematurely over the next decade because they can’t afford to pay for their prescription medications, according to research from West Health Policy Center.
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Events
The Gary and Mary West Foundation Celebrates 15 Years
This December marked the 15th anniversary of the Gary and Mary West Foundation. Over the past decade and a half, the Foundation has worked alongside talented partners and grantees to make a difference in the lives of seniors in California and every pocket of the country. In this time, we have awarded more than 650 grants totaling nearly a quarter-billion dollars to well-run, mission aligned organizations.
West Health does not accept unsolicited business plans or proposals.
