Largest retirees’ group backs House health bill, page 1

rawstory.com...

In a coup for House Democrats, AARP will endorse sweeping health care overhaul legislation headed for a history-making floor vote, officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

An endorsement from the seniors' lobby was critical when then-President George W. Bush pushed the Medicare prescription drug benefit through a closely divided Congress in 2003. House Democratic leaders are hoping it will work the same political magic for them as they strive to deliver on President Barack Obama's signature issue.

This is a setback for the GOP and the Insurance/HMO lobbies. AARP is a huge voting block and the PTB pay attention when these geezers speak.

I wonder if many GOPs up for reelection are reevaluating their stance on the Health Care bill? You do not want the AARP POed during election time.

reply to post by whaaa

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You do realize that tons of folks are leavng AARP for backing this plan. they have always backed any idea that Obama has had for healthcare reform, because AARP will benefit financially if healthcare reform passes.

Just keep this in mind.

The 23-member volunteer Board of Directors is the governing body of AARP and approves all policies, programs, activities, and services for the Association's 40 million members.

Source: www.aarp.org...

Congress would do well to remember that, come next November, the 40 million members, a.k.a voters, might have a different opinion than the 23 member AARP board.

reply to post by whaaa

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I seem to recall I heard a lot of people were leaving aarp because they were dissatisfied

Originally posted by WTFover
Just keep this in mind.

The 23-member volunteer Board of Directors is the governing body of AARP and approves all policies, programs, activities, and services for the Association's 40 million members.

Source: www.aarp.org...

Congress would do well to remember that, come next November, the 40 million members, a.k.a voters, might have a different opinion than the 23 member AARP board.

The leadership is the voice of those members and the AARP would not do something that conflicted with their best interests. The AARP wants happy old people and the old people know that. They trust the AARP when they are too lazy to do the work on their own. No one is going to leave the AARP period. It is the largest membership organization for these people - that doesn't happen if people quitted it on a whim. They don't and won't.

Old people know they cannot currently afford healthcare. They want reform more than any other group out there.

reply to post by andrewh7

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Why would they want a reform package that strips $500 billion out of Medicare? Did you mss all the old people and AARP memberes at the town halls that were about to bust a blood vessel over this "reform"?

reply to post by andrewh7

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Old people know they cannot currently afford healthcare. They want reform more than any other group out there.

All I've heard from the left, for the past 6 months, is how much the elderly love their Medicare, supposedly offered as proof of the ability of the government to run health care.

If they are satisfied with Medicare, why would they want reform? If they "want reform more than any other group out there", they must not be satisfied with Medicare. Can't have it both ways.

[edit on 4-11-2009 by WTFover]

reply to post by genius/idoit

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Rush Limbaugh has 20 million listeners.Just sayin.

I apologize for being a little slow on the uptake, but you'll have to explain that one to me.

Follow the money

I'm sure AARP will benefit from this one way or the other. Not the members, just the organization.

According to Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), "Some of these products are total rip offs," so bad, in fact, that AARP was forced to withdraw its Essential Health Insurance Plan and Essential Plus Health Insurance Plan, developed by United Health Group and sold to 44,000 of its members.

PNHP calls AARP "part of the problem and not part of the solution. It is nothing but an insurance (and financial) broker disguised as an advocacy group - and they will never take on the health insurance industry. (It) represent(s) the insurance industry (and its own self-interest) rather than (its members and) the public welfare in discussions about health reform."

As a result, it's largely profit-driven offering 17 types of insurance reaping hundreds of millions annually in royalties. Millions more from selling drugs; other products and services including mutual funds; plus federal subsidies exceeding $80 million annually; and annual membership dues of $16 per year, $43 for three years, or $63 for five x 40 million members.

It's also active on Capitol Hill with a 50-person staff and a 2008 $28 million lobbying budget, much like major corporations and for the same purpose - profits at the expense of member interests, unaware how they're ill-served by an organization claiming to be their advocate.

www.baltimorechronicle.com...

reply to post by whaaa

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In a coup for House Democrats, AARP will endorse sweeping health care overhaul legislation headed for a history-making floor vote, officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Are you aware that there aren't more than a handful of seniors that haven't tossed AARP overboard? The numbers are deceiving, in that many members purchased life-time memberships, and so are considered "members", even though they are fed up with AARP. AARP is nothing but an organization whose PRIMARY purpose is to try to sell over-priced insurance to seniors. The AARP is on the same wavelength as the Trial Lawyers Association. They both boost the Democratic plan because they see $$$$$ for their coffers.

reply to post by ANNED

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Even there auto insurance is over priced.

Absolutely true!
I got a call from them about a year ago, telling me that they could save me money on my auto insurance, so I decided to play along. I gave them my current coverage limits, etc, where I live. They said they'd call back in an hour with their "money saving offer". Well, when the called back with their offer, I almost split a gut laughing. It was $600 more a year than I was paying for my wife and I, and 2 cars.
I also had given them my coverage limits for our home. That turned out to be even worse. Their premium for a year was DOUBLE what I pay for my home insurance.
I think they believe that just because you're a senior, you're stupid. Shame on them.

reply to post by jam321

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You're right about this. The only reason AARP backs this plan is because it means profits for them but in no way benefits their constituents.

What organizations need to keep reminding themselves is this:

As of Sept. 30, 2009, the national debt was almost $12 trillion and interest on that debt was $383 billion for the year, according to the Treasury Department's Bureau of the Public Debt. The Congressional Budget Office on Oct. 7 estimated the 2009 budget deficit to be almost $1.4 trillion (about 10% of GDP).

online.wsj.com...

Obama needs to stop futzing with this stupid health care bill for now and focus on the economy. The economy is what's first and foremost on everyone's mind right now.

reply to post by whaaa

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I have gotten quite a bit of useful info from my AARP publications. Knowing the history of this organization, it is not surprising that they offer insurance/financial services to seniors. It is always best to shop around.

Even the new anti-AARP, ASA, offers the same type of insurance/financial offers. So the seniors who complain about those offers will still have to contend with the same thing at their new organization. I think this is the difference, as expressed by interested persons

Clara and Mike says:
We don't like the Liberal Communist that AArp is siding up with.
October 5, 3:18 PM

....
Colleen says:
Thank god there are still Americans that look out for others. FOX NEWS is all about helping and keeping Americans informed on what and how we can save America and Americans. Save the country first. Good always beats evil, and I hear and see how we all are together and watching out for all thats good. GOD BLESS US ALL!
October 2, 10:38 PM

source

Now here's an organization that I'm more attuned with re the health insurance bills. ....

Well, what can I say about a country that can't even adopt the SI metric system. Yes, we're in a league of our own on that...US, Liberia, Burma. Perhaps AARP is right, that this and that taxdollar medicare giveaway to big pharma under Bush is the best we can do for now.

"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world it could be."
And GOD BLESS US ALL...even you Colleen.

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