AARP Throws Its Weight Behind House Health Care Bill

Win win here – if AARP supports it, they must be some shadowy conspiracy that has been bought off (and their members too dumb to revolt – we all know how apathetic and unpolitical the elderly are). If AARP doesn’t support it, they are displaying the wisdom of age and their legendary status as the most engaged voter block.
Any way this endorsement went, we can spin it Right!

Just goes to prove that AARP is now a social wing of the Democratic party and is not looking out for seniors with all the cut in medicare contained in the house bill. I will be dropping my 10 year membership and convience all others I know to do the same.

“replace their cadillac insurance plan with their new healthcare bill?”
paul | Nov 5, 2009 1:23:17 PM
So you support the Finance Committee bill that did exactly that? Or are you just reciting an insincere whine and if you get your request still reject any reform?
The Finance Committee required that Congress get their health care plan from the Exchange being created by the bill. Do you support that bill that directly and completely meets your request?

Give all of those millions you use to lobby back to the membership in the form of reduced health insurance and maybe you would be more relevant.
Logical Patriot | Nov 5, 2009 2:05:04 PM
Give back those millions? Uh, why don’t their unhappy members just leave and never give them those millions in the first place? AARP is a volentary organization – people are free to quit paying their dues at any time with no reprecussions.

AARP is NOT looking out for their members! AARP stands to make mega $$ on their supplemental insurance when this bill goes through. Every senior citizen will need it because their medicare is being cut! It’s a no-brainer for AARP to back this! I wish I had $$ to start a supplemental insurance company of my own! Any such company will make a killing!

I am furious that AARP is siding with the government health program. I thought they were the seniors friend and looking out for their best interest, but guess I was wrong.

This is so sad that the people we thought were looking out for us are actually trying to profit from cuts in our healthcare.

ahumbleopinion, I hope that you don’t mind me re-posting your sensible comments. The reason we have gridlock and little progress is due to the fact that the “opposition” always plays politics even to defeat policies that actually help people who need help. I hope the Healthcare Reform bill passes and that persons who are so full of “anger” fueled by lies and distortions, simply take a sedative.
“AARP supports it because they actually read the bill and understand how its provisions will help seniors rather than just listening to the lies and misinformation spread by Republicans who care more about defeating President Obama than they do about Americans who are dying for lack of affordable health care.”
p.s. I think the AARP will continue to do just fine!

AARP just lost my membership and that of my spouse. How much closer can this organization get to the Democratic spin?
We have ripped up our memberships and are sending them to CEO Barry Rand…….if you oppose this stance they are taking, in the guise of “helping seniors”, may I suggest that you do the same.

I canceled my membership in August when the AARP endorsed the bill at it’s worst.
They stand to make billion when Botox Pelosi and Nobama throw the seniors under the bus by taking away advantage plans that cost seniors thousands less yearly over AARP who rapes seniors with their premiums. If the dems really wanted to bring the cost, they would throw the lawyers under the bus, open up state lines for all to by insurance anywhere, tighten the loop holes for illegals and abortion funding and increase the penalties for those who don’t want to participate which we know are the free loading liberals.

My wifeand I will be cancelling our AARP membership today. That the AARP endorses a national policy without polling its membership is a presumptive lie. We knew that Barry Rand donated to and supported Mr. Obama. We didn’t think he would be rash enough to use HIS opinion as if it were OURS. This has been timed to appear as a groundswell of support, when Mr. Obama tipped us off that AARP was on board in August.

I am very disturbed that AARP has joined forced with the Democats on the proposed insurance bill, I though that they were for the seniors, obviously, I was wrong! My husband and I will be cancelling our AARP membership immediately. If the government is forcing the American people to accept this health care reform then everyone in this country should be forced to have the insurance which means the federal employees as well.

This is not backed by the members . . . just the top dogs who are in bed with oBLAHma.

I don’t believe that the AARP has read the Pelosi, or any other proposed bill. They should canvass their constituents, and abide accordingly. Perhaps they will go bankrupt like GM, etc.

REID GOT YACCA MOUNTAIN CANCELLED AFTER BILLIONS WERE SPENT – DOES THIS IDIOT THINK HE CAN SAVE HIS SENATE SEAT? NO WAY – THE COUNTRY IS IN TERMOIL BY THIS BACK OFF FROM THE WASTE SITE – I DO NOT TRUST OBAHMA NOR HIS WORDS OF CRAP

I support the AARP and I support health care reform. I am worried that the lies being put out by the insurance industry, the lies from the right wingers will kill any chance of fixing our health care system. They hate our president and are doing everything they can to stop him. They really don’t care about the American people, they are selfish and I really feel traitors to the American public. AARP, Please continue to stand up for those of us who want common sense. Support health care reform.

If there is a need for saving on health, why doesn’t the AARP stop taking money? That would lower the costs.

What will AARP get for selling out? I wouldn’t give this organization a dime, I cancelled membership years ago, talk about a ripoff. I sincerely wish them nothing but bad luck. They knew how the elderly felt about this so called Health Bill and they still jumped on the wagon wuth the liberals. WHY?????

I cancelled my AARP membership last month by cutting my card and mailing it to them. Also, I will no longer be volunteering my time to do taxes for the AARP Tax Aide progrem.

Do not support this health bill AARP! I have been a member since 1995. I am against the health bill.

AARP Can do what they want, but without my membership, as of today 11/4/09 my membership will end

CEO of AARP! The house of representatives! Election time is nearing. If this health bill passes consider your elected political careers over. The people will speak on a more local level at your non election! We the people do not want This health
care bill to pass! Vote No.

Hey people canceling your asarp cards and siding with republicans on health care. Do you know in the 1960′s they released an album with Ronald Regan about the dangers of socialized medicine. i’m sure some of you heard that what that was trying to stop was a program called medicare. if the republicans had there way then there would be no MEDICARE. and if you want5 to see real death panels try being 67 without goverment run healthcare aka medicare and see which one of these insurance company’s would take you as a customer. You would be without insurance. we have spent 1.1 trillion dollars on 2 wars based on 9-11 which was a huge tragedy we lost 3000 americans on that day. since 2001 360,000 AMERICANS have died from being without insurance over 6 million bankruptcy’s. Jesus said how you treat the least of my people the poor the imprisoned and THE SICK is how you trat me. You people are sad. If you hate goverment give up your medicare

How can they endorse this without a thorough reading and polling of members? There has not been enough info published in the AARP Magazine to clairify many of the questions. Is this a knee jerk reaction to the election 2 days ago where the Democrats are afraid they will not have the votes once the bill is understood. Everyone needs health care but this bill will harm those who have supported this country. Heaven help us !!!!

Stan, I agree wholeheartedly. This bill was unveiled very recently. Can all the members of Congress say that they have read all 2000 pages? Has the AARP read all 2000 pages? How can anyone endorse what they have not read? People who are not covered by this bill should not be allowed to vote on this issue. Why is the American public not allowed to vote on this? It should have been an election day item this past Tuesday.

AARP
American Assoc Ripoff the People
I am now a former member. The CEO is in bed with Obama.

There is good reason I don’t let AARP speak for me (I have refused to join them) and that is becasue they are obviously a paid mouthpiece that is corrupt enough to be bought off. We need a new organization to protect the rights of seniors. These idiots are selling us down the river!

AARP Senior Policy Adviser John Rother said the 40-million strong organization favors the House bill!
Mr. John Rother, no one asked me. I am definitely NOT in favor of this bill!!!
The 10-year, $1.2 trillion House bill. [They say this will not add to our deficit! Who are they kidding. Maybe YOU! Not me! It is going to cost we Americans]
AARP is endorsing this sweeping health care plan. Because of this, I am canceling my membership!!! You have your OWN INTEREST at heart, NOT mine nor many, many other AARP members! I will not belong to such a group!
AARP says its membership is about evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans and independents, meaning its endorsement in today’s highly politicized atmosphere could Anger many members. YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!
The bill would also provide $1 billion to state insurance commissioners, allowing them to ramp up their own enforcement. The FEDERAL Health and Human Services department would be the monitors! A government insurance plan, a top legislative goal for liberals. This is okay with you people??? Not with me & many, many others. You should get a clue from the town hall meetings and the Tea Parties. You are NOT listening!!!
You have no concern for federal funds being used to pay for abortion. That’s wrong!
All the plans sold through the exchange would have to follow basic consumer protection rules, making it easier to shop and compare among them. Are you listening? The GOVERNMENT will CHASE OUT other insurance companies very soon. They will not be able to compete with the government pricing.
Seniors signed up for private insurance plans through Medicare will lose benefits, as the bill scales back extra payments to try and say this PLAN will NOT add a dime to the already MONSTROUS DEBT these people have given me, my family, my kids, and my grandkids.
THIS GOVERNMENT PLAN PUT FORTH BY THE DEMOCRATS & THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. is just another attempt by them for GOVERNMENT control in our lives. The Government has demonstrated to us over and over how they cannot run ANYTHING. Why would you think they could run our health care effectively. THEY WON’T!!!
We need Health Care Reform but we do NOT NEED THIS KIND! This is NOT reform. This is GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER of our lives.

It is pretty incredible that AARP would take this dive. I have never considered AARP to be much more than a PAC for the Democratic Party – even more convinced now!

In view of AARP’s support of this ridiculous health care bill, they can consider me a FORMER member!

Shame on AARP for supporting this piece of junk bill. You can cancel our memberships immedidately also.

I will be dropping my membership in AARP. I never thought that they would sell out their seniors, but that is exactly what they have done. I wonder what they have been promised for their support. I will no longer be a member and I will be talking to everyone I know to drop their memberships as well.

I just cancelled my AARP membership today. Must have been a popular decision today, it took me over 6 hours to get through.
I agree that health care needs some kind of reform, but the current bill is not the way to do it. Too much administrative overhead and government involvement. The cost will likely be double what the estimate is once all the new government agencies necessary to administer it are figured in to the cost.

Very disappointed in AARP and the AMA –I am a Medical Professional and this has turned into a political pissing contest and NOT what is best for you or me as patients OR future patients. Yes Medical cost are high but this is not going to address the cost problem. Majority of people who are uninsured DO not want it and they do not want to pay for it!! Too many people looking for handouts and not wanting to take responsibility. Pre-existing — you would be amazed at the amount of misrepresentations and fraud. AARP & AMA SHAME ON YOU!

I canceled my membership today too, and told them exactly why. As a longtime Libertarian, this unprecedented expansion of government really pisses me off.
The dues I would have been paying to AARP will now go to the NRA.

So much for AARP, they have no more common sense than the president. When push came to shove – the members get thrown in front of the bus.
Dropping my membership as well as my wife’s ! Should have done so sooner, but I was hopeful AARP would pull their respective heads out of the their ….. – and see the daylight.

AARP ARE TRAITORS TO THE SENORS OF AMERICA. AS A SR AND A DEMOCRATE I WILL CAMPAIN AGAINST ANY ONE THAT JOINS THIS ORGANIZATION.

Without going into a long detailed account of my feelings, I have just finished a letter to AARP, 601 E Street N.W., Washington, DC 20049, requesting my membership be cancelled. Don’t cancel your membership via this comment section, do it in writing. What a sell-out to the seniors by the AARP and the Pelosi political health care assassins, especially since nobody is given the time to review and digest this bill. Pelosi just wants to jam it down our throats to satisfy her political ambitions. The voters who put her in power should have has their heads examined.

Why stop with the AARP? If we just got rid of Social Security and Medicare, who knows what we could afford? My God in Heaven, we could pay for Public Health Care out of the interest we’d save from paying off the National Debt. Oh my good Lord, financial respnsiblity! Sorry, George, I’ve got to go lie down, just the very notion is makig me dizzie!

I would like to inform AARP about my disagrement with their endorsement.In a visit to their website, I was unable to find a way to e-mail them and when I tried to register at their blog the server was “down” I don’t think they lobby for seniors so much as for their various insurance and money making schemes

To humble opinion and to Mr Brown who reposted this quote:
“AARP supports it because they actually read the bill and understand how its provisions will help seniors rather than just listening to the lies and misinformation spread by Republicans who care more about defeating President Obama than they do about Americans who are dying for lack of affordable health care.” —- You two are half right…
I am sure that AARP did read the bill and I am also sure that they support it. But not because it is beneficial to seniors.. because its beneficial to them.. One of AARPs leading profit arms is their supplemental Healthcare coverage for seniors. If the bill passes and medicare part A and B is slashed back to Medicaid +10% as is written, Companies like Humana and BCBS will b e out in the cold while Companies like AARP can clean up by offering more limited copays at higher rates to seniors who have just had their benefits cut. Any one who thinks this endorsement is in the best interests of seniors is simply not informed enough to know what is really going on… its in the best interest of AARP.. not the seniors they represent.
And by the way… stop spreading the propaganda about the “number of people who have died” because they don’t have healthcare. This country has a federal law that prohibits the medical industry (Hospitals, ERs, etc) from denying care to ANYONE regardless of their ability to pay. Could a catastropic illness or injury ruin you financailly, yes, but care IS available to any one who attempts to get it.

A short time ago, word was received that seniors will not get the annual Social Security Raise, yet Part B will increase about eight to 10 dollars per month. This means that each recipient will be receiving 8-10 dollars less per month then they currently are receiving. HOWEVER, all federal employees will get a 2% raise in 2010, and get this, members of the house and senate will get their automatic raises.
Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of those liberal ####### could care less about the seniors. But, starting in 2010, the Democrats will have a new theme song, “Who’s Sorry Now”.

I find it offensive that AARP represents itself as a representive for seniors. Shame on them for betraying us while this government provides healthcare for illegals (and they will be in his next move to make them legal) while taking away from our seniors millions of dollars in their healthcare.
They will ration doctor payments until a
doctor will no longer want to provide
care for seniors. I have and hope all
seniors tear up their cards to at least
tell AARP how we feel about their “loyalty to seniors”. I’m sure their pockets will remain full.

Thanks AARP for supporting the Health Care Bill now. I turn 50 next month and you just saved me a lot of membership dues money. No AARP for me!

Why would the AARP want to endorse a spending bill that does its part in doubling the national debt to $24 trillion?
How could such a debt benefit seniors, what would it do to their retirement accounts?
The CBO warns that the current debt of $12 trillion is unsustainable, so what happens when it is doubled?
Does the AARP have representation in the Bilderberg Group?

Wife and I cancelled AARP yesterday after they endorsed the public option that will lead to a government take-over of health care.

That Republican FUD worked pretty well, eh?

Scott, Do you recharge your programmed speech every night or just once a week?

I, too, will not be renewing AARP membership. I have an advantage plan which has been working well, now will have to choose something costing over $200/mo or just use basic Medicare. I feel betrayed by a group I though would help us seniors. I’ve paid their dues since I was of the age to do so. NO MORE>

Who are you to make decions regarding anything includeing health care with out polling your members. remember you are paid by us…