American Morning
Lobbying for Your Health: 150,000 seniors in revolt
Editor's Note: Lobbyists have spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to influence the health care debate in this country. By some counts, there were six health care lobbyists for every member of Congress. In part three of the American Morning original series, "Lobbying for Your Health," Carol Costello looks at the AARP's contentious role in the debate.
By Bob Ruff and Carol Costello
November 5, 2009. That's the day the AARP endorsed the House health care bill. With nearly 40 million members, it's not surprising that the president quickly came before cameras in the White House to thank the AARP for its endorsement.
That AARP endorsement wasn't universally applauded by all of the organization's millions of members. The organization admits it has lost 150,000 members since the endorsement but says that's been offset by more than 2-million new or renewed memberships.
Some, like Robert Tice, feel the AARP is out of touch with its members by focusing so much on selling insurance. He says he will let his AARP membership lapse without renewal because he doesn't like what they're up to.
"The letters don't mean American Association of Retired Persons," he told CNN's Carol Costello. "It just means AARP. It's just a name. ... The AARP is about insurance. People need to know that. AARP is not out there to help you."
In fact, the AARP brands several types of insurance, including health policies with United Healthcare. By endorsing so many insurance policies the organization brought in around $650 million dollars last year in premiums. That's almost three times what it took in from membership dues.
Republicans say the AARP's endorsement of the House health bill is more about supporting its insurance business than anything else. They point to the organization's acquiescence to billions of dollars in cuts to the Medicare Advantage Plans, which AARP and other insurers offer as private alternatives to Medicare that often includes extra medical coverage like dental and vision care.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, some suggested cuts in the program might make it so unattractive that millions of Americans could be forced out because the plan's benefits would shrink. It is also possible that some insurance companies would stop offering Medicare Advantage policies altogether because it would be far less profitable.
So, why would the AARP support cuts to Medicare Advantage? Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) thinks he knows what the AARP is up to. Gingrey says the organization hopes that millions of seniors will move from Medicare Advantage to AARP's branded Medigap plan, which has far higher profit margins.
"The fewer people, seniors, that are on Medicare Advantage and back into Medicare fee for service (Medigap)," Gingrey says, "the more opportunity AARP has to get royalty from the sale of Medigap policies." The AARP, says Gingrey, is the market leader in selling Medigap policies.
Carol Costello asked the AARP if any of this is true. The AARP's director of legislative policy, David Certner, says "it's not an issue we have lobbied on at all."
Certner says his organization supported cuts to Medicare Advantage to "trim the fat" so Medicare itself survives. "We understand there are financial issues with Medicare, and we need to save money for the Medicare program."
He adds that the AARP has fought to make sure the health care bill closes the gap in Medicare drug coverage, known as the "donut hole," an important issue for many seniors. But Robert Tice isn't convinced that the AARP won't put making profits ahead of its members.
"The AARP has a moral responsibility," he says, "to be more clear that they are an insurance broker primarily, and that's where they make the majority of their money."
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I did not renew my membership primarily because AARP as said, is first and foremost in the insurance business. They peddle companies like United Health who make a huge profit from the business. I dont understand how a company like United Health can keep half the medicare part D benefit for themselves. I receive net probably one half of the annual beneift in medicine. United Health keeps the rest. I think most seniors dont realize how they are being cheated by the system.
I agree with Senator John McCain. The AARP has betrayed its members. We have an organization run minorities for insurance sales. I too have let them know I am not renewing my worthless membership and am joining any force to let the people really know what AARP "ALL ABOUT RIPPING-OFF PEOPLE"
They lost more than 150,000 members; they just don't know the total damage yet. There are thousands of members like myself who are on multiple year renewals that will not renew when their memberships expire.
I am not a great fan of AARP as far as their insurance recommendations. They are right though in that the Medicare Advantage plans have been shown to not be cost effective. I have been enrolled in Medicare Adv. plans for several years and have enjoyed some cost savings to me, but that has to come from somewhere. I would rather have the basic Medicare program survive
than to save a few hundred $$ and then have the program collapse.
Everyone wants something for nothing!
It astounds me that the general public does not seem to realize that AARP is an insurance company. It has always been a company in business to make the most money it can.
I have joined AARP because of their help in the healthcare reform issue. None of my children (now ages 23 and 27) have been able to find any jobs that provide medical insurance. Ironic that it is AARP that is coming to the rescue of the young (as well as the old).This is not the great country I grew up in... we have Republicans running everything who think medical care is just for the CEO and his family - the hell with those who actually do the work. When will people wake up and take back their country?
As a working senior citizen who is also a lawyer, I applaud the revelation of AARP as an insurance broker in the business for profit. I recently disenrolled from AARP-endorsed United HealthCare's Medicare Part D prescription drug plan after they dropped coverage of my main drug (an old generic, at that) AFTER the enrollment/disenrollment/change period expired on December 31, 2009, AND they failed to give me any notice at all of this significant change.
I fear for those hapless seniors who may not know how to cope with insurance fraud and just continue to pay the premiums and deductibles that grow larger every year for their Part D plans. It is criminal, and I intend to do what I can to assist them.
YES, AARP is a big disappointment for seniors. I withdrew my membership several years ago and would not rejoin.
Valerie Janard
AARP is in the business of making money. I canceled my membership too! It's time to create a new organization for retirees, one that truly represents them.
I have always had great respect for the AARP, but with their support of the Obama health care, it totally blew up. How could they be so stupid to think that this healthcare reform could possibly help our senior citizens who have worked all their lives for what they have? We don't need the healthcare reform for anyone, any more than we need Welfare, WIC, and all those other handouts for all the "dead beats" too fat and lazy to work.
What a slanted one-sided story. Why don't you talk to Democrats? Where is the mention that insurance companies are actively lobbying against this bill and supporting ads against it? What a joke.
Add another two to the list of complainers about AARP's position on supporting the health care bill. I am cancelling my membership and want nothing further to do with this organization that showed their true colors with their suipport of something seniosrs do not want to happen.
Forget about AARP being for us. They are for making profits at our expense. I will never again give them a cent.
150,000 people is more than enough to start a competing organization against the aarp. Any takers?
Who does AARP represent certainly not us seniors. To endorse a Health plan with 500 billion in cuts to medicare while adding to the number of participants is a recipe for the demise of all of us. Boycott
AARP and their insurance sponsors.
I am almost 51 and won't support AARP. This is a non profit orgaization that has began to lose its way. If AARP was going to issue a statement of support for the new Health Care package being forced fed to Americans, then why didn't that support get confirmed by the membership of 40 million. That support came from the few that are looking out for the financial health of the organization, instead of the ones who are concerned with their own physical health and well being, which is its membership. I suspect that I won't pay for health care, and that won't pay the extra taxes required to support it. Fine me, arrest me, I really don't care, but I am not supporting lazy ass citizens that refuse to provide their fair share, and I certainly am not supporting someone thats in this country that shouldn't even be here in the first place.
I cut up my card the day I heard they were in favor of the health care program. Sure there in favor of it there an insurance company. They try to say they are an advocate group but they only advocate for themselves!
The ENTIRE debate is utterly and completely wrong-headed.
The people screaming the loudest have practically no understanding whatever what the true issue is nor what is at stake !
The TRUE issue is NOT how to PAY health care costs, but rather how to CUT health care cost so that the ordinary person CAN pay them like any other ordinary cost of living - food, shelter, clothing, transportation, etc - of course, while of course,always improving outcomes.
The present attitude of the health care industry, "It costs what it costs" must be deep-sixed ! !
Any other approach surely leads to eventual national disaster !
.
People who oppose healthcare reform are idiots. They don't understand that healthcare costs are rising at records rates and most young people cannot affortsd healthcare. Without reform rates will go up at double the current mrates, within ten years most middle class Amercians will lose thweir coverage because they cannot afford it. PERIOD. Rates may still go up under the new plan, but nearly as much as if we do nothing.
As for the GOP, they are usless & out of touch with middle Amercia. If the GOP was serious they would have engaged in the debate and helped mold the bill into somthing more likable, instead of playing polkitics. Their problem is they hate Obama and anything he does. They oppose healthcare reform becaues they make money off the healthcare industry. They don't give a D**n about Senior citizens, the Middle class, my family, or my children.
I will never voter GOP again.
My wife and I are in complete agreement with the 150,000 that have left the AARP. It is a business that has drifted to the special interest side of politics and we firmly believe they are lining their pockets with our support. We will no longer be supporting such a business and will be leaving as well.
To Timmy: Your ignorance and short-sightedness is astounding. What makes you think you're not already paying for what you call "handouts?" Everyone in this country already gets health care. Those without insurance do so by visiting emergency rooms where they can't be turned away. The astronomical cost of emergency service tenders bills that they cannot pay and therefore they default on them. Who eventually picks up the tab in the form of medicaid taxes & payments? You do, you moron! Pull your head out of your butt and do some intelligent thinking for a change.
I think it is good to see support for health reform. The problem has more to do with the lobbyist money. Americans should be outraged by our politicians on both parties who are lining their pockets while pretending to care about us. Americans should be covered by a public option so that they don't have to give up their homes when catastrophic illnesses or accidents occur. Republicans had their chance, the should be voted out for not trying to give into the program, but just saying no, no, no....
I abandoned my AARP membership when the organization sold us out to Big Pharma during the Medicare Part D debate. Excusing a no-negotiation stance for pharmaceuticals by stating "It's a start" didn't cut it with me, especially after I saw AARP go in big-time for marketing United Healthcare plans. And I'm equally disgusted by the current endorsement of a healthcare bill without a public option. I heartily endorse healthcare insurance reform, but not the sell-out that's currently being hashed out in Congress. The AARP has become a shill for the health insurance and pharmaceutical industries. I happily tear up every invitation to rejoin I receive.
Here i have been thinking that AARP stood for Americans Against Republican Party. I'm thankfull that I kept my retirees insurance to supplement my medicare coverage. The AARP definetly has a conflict of interest. I wouldn't want my health care eggs in their basket. And shame on those Democratic Senators sold their votes. Iv'e been a registered Democrat all of my voting life but am seriously considering going Republican or Independent.
I long ago realized that AARP was all about the benjamins and not about advocating for seniors. I let my membership lapse when they supported the faulty perscription drug coverage and began selling seniors insurance. Just another case of corporate greed and screwing the little people to make money.
As a former insurance executive and former General Counsel with a national carrier, I was disgusted with the entire health care debate and the Congressional process. Contrary to popular belief from the vocal minority, there is no excuse for not having universal health care taking the best aspects of the programs in the European countries and around the world. We owe it to our citizens. We do not owe it to all of the other countries to waste our tax dollars to serve as the policeman to the world. It is not necessarily in our best, national interests to follow the foreign policies we have in the past. But it is in our national interest to spend our tax dollars to help all our citizens before we trapse all over the world throwing money at problems that might remotely affect US interests. Multinational corporations are driving those international issues, especially the military industrial complex. Vote everyone out of office and start over. We can't do any worse.
My AARP auto insurance went up 19% for 2010. A quote from Geico was 20% less.
Agree with the writer who said that the AARP United gap and advantage plans are much higher than the other companies.
I too think the AARP has sold out seniors. It's easy to feel powerless in this debate when the Democrats hold sway over every decision and every vote. My own little protest is to take every piece of promotional material I receive from AARP and write a note on it expressing my strong disagreement with their endorsement of the Obama plan. Then I mail it back to them in the prepaid envelope. If everyone did this it would make a small dent in their pocketbook but it also might get noticed.
AARP!!!!
NO MORE.
What a sell out to the Elderly
Thank you Bill in NY! The Republicans and their "Party of No" are to blame for so much confusion and obstruction to honest health care reform. We should all remember the Republicans overwhelmingly opposed Medicare when it was initially proposed and passed.
The time has come for change and it's unfortunate some individuals would rather hang on to a ideal logy rather than become part of the solution. I applaud Obama and his administration for trying to solve this crisis and bring about true reform!
AARP is not out to help the seniors, as evident, on their stands on medicare.....AARP need an overhaul of their LAME leadership........
I am going to let my AARP laspse. I am sorry to see them approve of the health care bill that reduces benefits for seniors.
I canceled AARP membership the day of their endorsement of that House bill. I also received a refund on fees. An additional item that led to this event was my employer Retiree Health Care Insurance offerings had a +19% rise in Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Supplemental Insurance to $200/month! I never did sign up for Secure Horizons because SCAN was so much cheaper for same or better medical care and quality. My HMO and Hospital preferences were unchanged, and I've had my PCP for years when working and now retired. It's The Economy Stupid! Another thing is SCAN is "non-profit", and Secure Horizons is "Profit" offered by United Health Care Corp. Everyone gives AARP for making money on selling Secure Horizons. They recommend. United Health Care owns it. Any guess why Profit Insurance Companies like them raised their monthly premiums "before any health care legislation is passed"?
I too am so disatisfied with AARP which masquerades as a champion of the elderly but is and has been basically interested in building an empire for itself and those in charge. I have been a member for 21 years and have always felt that those in control have put the organization and themselves right up front with those who they are supposed to help represent dragging behind.
It certainly would be so much better if its members had some real say in whose running the show for what the organization should primarily stand.
AARP is doing a fine job. This so-called revolt is just politics.. the Hannityites and Limbaughites... I suggest the next time the revolters need lobbying for Social Security or age discrimination, they will see what happens without a strong voice in DC. By the way complainers,
SS and Medicare/Medicaid is a government program! Wake up.
In summary:-
I am for Health Care Reform. As a Brit, I have experienced the UK health system and its very good, not great, but certainly better than the USA for people who do not have insurance.
I am disappointed to find that AARP has such a large interest in insurance. I would expect such an organization to be independent and in a position to support the interests of its members without conflict of interest. We need a new organization that is independent. I will not be joining AARP.
There are NOT millions of people dying in the US because of lack of health care. Period. Everyone gets treated, regardless of ability to pay, regardless of all the horror stories being told. The US already pays huge amounts of money for healthcare for illegals and legal non-productive citizens. Most of the difference lies in the fact that you and I have to drive ourselves to the doctor's office..everyone on the public dole gets a cab ride or ambulance ride, and that's guaranteed by their "health care". Just ask New York State how that's working for them....
The only Real Change, TIMMY, that occured when the Republicans were in power is that they managed to use up all the surplus, and entangle us in not one, but TWO nation building wars. That's real change!!
aarp may charge more for their medicare supplement plan thru united heath than if you bought the same plan direct from united heath.this should be checked out if true, shows profit motive vs service motive by aarp
If less than 1% of the total members quit, I would say that the vast majority support it and the story is basically a non-story. I would sat that just about any issue would hack off more than less than 1% of the total membership.
I am an ARRP member and I fully support the health care reform movement, in fact, it didnt' go far enough. We should have Medicare part E, for everybody.
Took me a week to find out what the AARP stood for. Most of their insurance programs are way overpriced. I do not agree with alot of their views either. If you compare their programs to others, it doesn't take long to understand money is their mission.
AARP is only trying to get all the Seniors kicked off medicare Advantage,so they can sell their supplemental health insurance to them,to cover what regular medicare will not cover. It has nothing to do with the Good of the many just the greed of the few.
The AARP is run by a bunch of GREEDY EXECUTIVES THAT HAVE ONE THING IN MIND AND THAT IS TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO LINE THEIR POCKETS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MOST NEEDED IN THE COUNTRY.
The only thing on their minds is how much kickback they can get from those they use to sell their so called insurance. It is a place where it seems the price in my opinion includes a kickback so they can keep building their bank accounts.
Mary in Toronto: Go ahead and feel sorry for the third world country – the United States. Why then is it when a fellow Canadian needs urgent care, they come to the states???? Is it because they are in line waiting for their turn to be treated??? My husband worked for a Canadian company for over 20 years and I'll take the coverage I get in this "third world country" after hearing some of the horror stories from his co-workers. My biggest concern with this health care issue is how will it affect continued medical research??????
So much confusion in these posts. I agree with Elitz earlier this morning. Seniors, you have a great insurence in Medicare. I wish all americans had the same. Why do you complain so much.
Want a big drop in your health care coverage? Vote GOP!
AARP is an "under the wire" branch of the Democratic Party.
AARP supports Nancy Polosie right or wrong. In this case, AARP and Nancy are wrong. Their brand of socialism takes insurance money from our pockets. This is "special interest" at work on a huge scale.
I am getting out of AARP after reading this article... and I will change my insurance company from "AARP Insurance, Inc." as soon as possible. A defection from AARP is in the works.
I think many of us suspected this. Thanks for the great article!
Answer me this- all you "tea bag"conservatives- when did the "health care crisis" start? On January 21, 2009 when a certain black candidate raised his hand and took the oath of office? What about the previous occupants of the White House? What did they offer to help? In 2001-2008? Non-Compete clauses with Pharmaceutical companies for prescriptions drugs so that Americans pay more for their pills than any country in the world? The infamous "donut hole" in Medicare coverage?
Where were your protests then? Get a life! Been an AARP member for almost 15 years- and will continue to renew each year.
Anyone who wants to know what a single-payer universal healthcare system looks like should just look north to Canada.
We have a mediocre level of care available to everyone equally. A shortage of family doctors, four-month waits for specialists and 'hallway' medicine – a uniquely Canadian term denoting patients being treated on gurneys in hallways for lack of hospital beds.
Just have a look at all the Canadian licence plates on the cars in the Mayo parking lot to figure out who has the better system.
Good luck with your debate.
The article is right on the money, that is why I let my aarp membership expire. They are not interested in what is good for seniors. The health plan is just a way to get the senior population too expire sooner. A long and extensive look at what can be done to improve health ins, not let us get it done in a hurry, so the President can sign it. It took years to get in this picckle and we want to solve it in less than a year.
Why can't the hearing be open on this bill.
To: eliz wolfgang
Beautifully said! It's a shame that so many people "follow the herd" and don't take the time to think for themselves. If they did they would see that a majority of the people in this country just cannot afford the escalating cost of healthcare. I have watched and read everything I can on this subject and am comfortable with healthcare reform. Perhaps more people might want to do the same before spewing out total inaccuracies!
Yes, we are a capitalistic government, founded by our forefathers who wanted to escape the European governments and paying too many taxes. I personally have had very hard times and have good times as well. It is all about surviving and making things work for you. I never had anyone, nor the government take care of me in the hard times. If I can earn a decent pay without being burdened by too many taxes, then I can make it on my own. If I am burdened by too many taxes because I have to take care of others who don't choose to try to make it in life, then I am not making it either. I am looking forward to joining AARP later this year.
Seniors need to understand that AARP is nothing more than a glorified insurane company.
I am so disappointed that AARP has become a political body instead of looking out for the good of the senior citizens. Yes, I cancelled my AARP membership that I've had since the 90's. Non–profit AARP–don't think so. It's time for a new organization that will represent all seniors and not be so interested in profit for themselves.
The AARP actually understands the implications of the bill and wants tosupport legislation that helps people who need health care. The right wing nuts listen to "hate" radio and could care less about anything other than themselves and the politics of hate and destruction. Go AARP!! My wife and I joined just because you supported the health care bill.
The Complete thing is a COSTLY JOKE. The Health Care Bill is an EMPTY CATCH ALL for our money and the Congress and the ARRP are both a bunch of Crooks .
I tend to agree that AARP has become a shill for their insurance-selling partners. Everytime I see something on TV about AARP it's an insurance commercial.
And at least one of the companies they deal with – The Hartford, is less than stellar, in my opinion. They promise not to drop you, and that's exactly what they did to my partner after he filed a claim for a broken back window. He had been a customer only a month and was dropped.
Emails to AARP to complain were not even responded to. They don't seem to be interested in whether the companies they partner with are standing by their claims.
The AARP is nothing more than a big time insurance company sales organization.
According to news reports most of the AARP operational funds come from kickbacks from the insurance firm AARP represents.
The AARP has lost it's way and seems to be just another big time member of the Washington DC special interest groups.
This so called great nation was built on pure greed, and the Insurance Industry prove it every day.
I cannot believe that people are not supporting an effort to include tens of millions of Americans in the health care system. The Republican leader of the Senate said that we cannot afford this; but we can afford tax cuts for the upper 5%. All other developed countries, and many developing countries, do provide universal health care for all of their citizens. Perhaps we are so poor that we should start asking for charity from the rest of the world in order to support our own citizens!
From what used to be an organization that did look out for seniors, AARP is now just gives lip service to line their pockets.
1. Take the profit motive out of health care. That means abolish the "insurance industry," which provides no product, just steals over $1 trillion a year. It's not free enterprise, it's not capitalism, it's just theft by big corporations who manipulate the GOP, who in turn terrorize the population. 2. either extend Medicare to everyone, which is government run like in UK, or create universal health care (same thing) run by nonprofit corporations, like in Germany. Once you have it, you'll love it. You'll never understand why you were against your own best interests. The irony is that most people in the civilized world (not us) have universal health care, and wouldn't know what you mean by socialized medicine. That's just a GOP scare term. It's a lot of nothing. People were just as terrified of Medicare over 40 years ago. Are we destroyed from it? People love it. Grow up.
AARP was supposed to back President Obama's $250 one-time
payment in 2010 to each Social Security recipient. Whatever
happened to that - and yet Congress gave themselves a 2%
increase on their $165,000 plus salaries. That on top of their
additional outrageous benefits–and enormous vacation times!
AARP should be fighting fir (and winning) this $250 very needful
payment.. No inflation?! Ha!
So, CNN hammers AARP but has given ACORN a pass. No wonder your ratings are in the tank.
All AARP is is a marketing corp for life insurnance,medicad supplements and annuities. They have fooled nearly everyone for a long long time that they are some kind of authority-let alone a nutral opinion. they should be completely exposed.
No matter whether or not your support health care reform, the American public is getting screwed, either by the pharmaceutical and insurance companies, hospitals or in the form of increased taxes. Our priorities are so wacked in this country that we don't know how things are paid for anymore. From healthcare, transportation and education to the military complex, we all pay taxes to subsidize these programs and or agencies, regardless of whether or not we support or endorse them, so why not just learn to deal with reality.
I just received the 2010 AARP Medicare Advantage program and co-pays have gone up 20-50%. United Health Care Insurance, with AARP's assistance, have just made being a poor retired person a lot worst..
Got to pay for a terrible national healtcare over-haul I guess!
Sad. Robert in Arlington, Texas
I'm also nearing retirement and have belonged to AARP since I was 50. Other than some published advice and discounts on hotels, I don't see AARP doing anything for me going forward. I too will probably cancel my membership and subscription.
The facts are again proving that the liberal responses show a lack of intelligence. Or maybe, the liberals are looking for a handout from the taxpayers.
AARP has become big business and act the same way. The little guy living on retirement is low on their list of priorities.
Unless I see some real changes, when my membership expires I will not renew.
A lot of folks are playing the AARP numbers game in justifying its support of the health bill. People highlight the 150,000 quitting versus the 2 million jointing as concrete proof AARP speaks for the majority of its members. Good God people, have you become so naive that you actually believe that? I no longer trust anyone in government or big business (AARP is big business). They will lie, cheat and steal to get their point across. By the way, I have some incredibly scenic beautiful water front property on the edge of a swamp by the old factory next to the town landfill that I can sell you real cheap.
In my opinion, AARP lost sight of its purpose a long time ago. I agree that AARP now seems more concerned about using its membership to make money for itself more than it is about about serving its membership; sometimes even at the expense of rather than benefit to seniors. I just don't believe or trust in the organization any longer.
Timmy you and people like you are the biggest shame of the society who wants to live in the society but does not want to share the common features. Shame on you
AARP = Insurance Company. How's it even REMOTELY possible that everyone doesn't know that already? Duh.
I have repeatedly asked AARP to refunds my dues, and cancel my membership, but they NEVER DID. The AARP does not represent the interest of the elders or the Americans, but their executives and their pocket, another AIG and GM scam that pays executives for destroying the company. IT IS A SHAME, and I encourge all elderly American to speak out and prevent the destruction of the health care for the elderly.
Those that are leaving AARP are the very wealthy who do not want healthcare reform, from what I've seen the AARP is doing it's best to take care of it's members, just like the gop is with the tea bag nonsense invented by fox news
I have become disenchanted with AARP every since they chose United Health Care for there health insurance coverage
The same United Health Care that paid millions of dollars in a settlement with Capers for backdating options for Doctor Bill Macquire and other crooked board members.
Dr Macquire has a ball room in his home in Minnesota.
Mary in Toronto....
Our health care system is FAR SUPERIOR to yours. By ANY measure. Our cancer survival rates are better, our wait times are shorter, we have more and better equipment than you, and up until now, the government has not been in between us and our doctors.
Your assessment is just factually WRONG.
But hey, you're from Canada, so i guess i can let it slide.
You guys get plumbing and cable TV up there yet??
ehhhhhh?
So approximately 15% of AARP members (probably mostly tea baggers and birthers) don't like what the AARP is trying to do.
Good. Leave. Go talk to bachman and company about your future.
Timmy – My friend, You have been going to too many tea parties. There is no Public Option, save Medicare, which has been in existance for some 30 years now. As far as Health Care reform is concerned, as of yet, it has not happened. It looks as if there may be some insurance reform, but that's about it. NO ONE will be getting a 'hand out.' The 47 million people that are currently without insurance are driving up your healthcare costs, and since the Senate tried so earnestly to make sure that there was no public avenue to coverage, you are about to be raped by the insurance industry all over again. Our last best hope is that in negotiations, some sort of non-profit coverage be made available so that now that we HAVE to purchase insurance, we can at least do it affordably. Put the powdered wig away and read up...Then right your representative or senator and DEMAND that public option be returned to the final draft.
They lost me with the prescription debacle. Almost got me back with the reform bill indorsement, but frankly, I no longer trust them to do what's best for the senior citizens of the US. They're as susciptable to lobbying as congress is.
Make it 150,000 and 1. I am dropping out of AARP over their endorsement of the health care bill.
I guess the attitude from the right is if you can't afford insurance, don't get sick. If only life was that easy.
AARP is a non-profit. You people need to recognize what that means.
I must say that I looked forward to being an AARP member when I turned 50. However, their inundation of my mailbox with slick promotions for one product after another completely turned me off of them within one year.
I don't look at them anymore as an independent advoctae for seniors. Sad to say, but true. They are out for money and campaign for it more tackily than I every imagined.
My generally positive perception of AARP has been dashed by my impending elevation to Medicare eligibility and concomitant motivation to review medical care going forward. In summary, what I have learned in very short order is that the supplemental benefit plans offered by AARP through United Healthcare Insurance Company are appallingly more expensive then other readily obtainable, precisely equivalent plans.
For those not intimately familiar, many private insurance carriers offer supplemental plans which cover some to virtually all of the medical expenses not covered by Medicare Parts A + B. There are approximately 12 letter-designated supplemental plans offering increasingly more supplemental coverage. The elements of coverage provided by each supplemental plan are mandated and must be identical from each private insurance carrier offering any of the plans.
I was dismayed to discover that the AARP-sponsored United Healthcare plans I and J, the plans offering the greatest supplemental benefit, have a monthly cost of $226 and $266 respectively, while a simple off-the-street inquiry to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield yielded published rates effective January 1, 2010 of $138 and $154 per month, respectively, for precisely the same I and J plans!!
How many thousands (millions??) of AARP members are induced by the barrage of AARP insurance propaganda to sign up at such rapacious premiums without review, all the time believing that AARP has their best interests at heart?
I applaud AARP for its efforts to reform our disfunctional health care system. We need to overhaul it and while the reforms do not go far enough to take the greedy insurance companies out of the system, it is at least a start. The obstructionist, nay-saying Republicans are the ones fighting to protect the rediculous insurance company profits and excessive CEO salaries. We really need a public option.
The AARP is a politically correct insurance company and its main concern is its bottom line..... not its members welfare.
People...People...Have you all forgotten that the US is a Capitalistic Country? Everything that we do/did, that we acquired is base on the "mighty dollar". America is not base on party lines, black, white, etc. we are talking about the "have and the have nots". Get a grip America. Except that fact and move on.
I belong to AARP and I am not getting out. Do what you have to do. My life is not based on fear. I have never seen so many elderly who are so frightened that they listen to anything and anybody. You still have your "gray matter". Think for yourselves, instead of using others as your mouthpiece. There is waste in any program, ie., unions, insurance companies, etc., and all you can think about is that they are taking something away from you. If you believe that, then get out. If this will be your decision, you must be in the group of the "haves". (the same as the Congressmen who voted for NO HCR!!)
We are a selfish lot though. We think only of ourselves. The Devil is truly "walking and taking names". He knows who and what to lobby for. You all made it so easy for him/her!!!!!
I joined AARP years ago because they were a great advocacy organization. I dropped them during the prescription drug bill passage and I would drop them again now if I could. Those of us who worked all our lives were told that the government (LBJ's Great Society) would care for us after we contributed all our lives by working and paying our taxes. AARP proved they have little intention of honoring that. Instead, they gave out to big business and–in THIS case–big business is not helping senior citizens. Maybe they forget that we baby boomers actually READ and THINK and UNDERSTAND a bad deal when we see one.
Commenting on the 150,000 member loss by AARP. Although this is a large number, it only represents less than 1% of their total membership. At least the AARP looks out for the general interest of our nations seniors. They have done more for this segment of our society than most politicans on the hill. I would galdly trade seeing what good health-care can do than seeing another Republican grabbing headlines from the media. Let's be more forward-looking.
Great time to enlighten folks on the questionable non-profit nature of AARP.
Right on, CNN!
AARP is in the business of making money and they have only been paying lipservice to the health reform debate. I canceled my membership too! It's time to create a new organization for retirees, one that truly represents them.
Joe
It's all about the bottom line-money. AARP will go down as more and more people catch on to the monsterous healthcare bill and the huge amount of money that it would bring to AARP. Why do you think the government is ironing out the bill in secret?
I heard this piece this AM and immediately did what I've put off for a long time. I joined AARP. The question should be, "What net gain/loss did AARP experience because of their position on Health Care Reform? Not sure they could give an answer, but it is a better question than just to ask, "How many members have you lost because of your position?" I have resisted joining AARP partly because I am not yet retired but also because in the past I thought them too conservative. Actually I think their position on HEalth Care Reform has been conservative, i.e., they are trying to conserve health care.
The AARP has a very serious problem with a conflict of interest. It is not reasonable for AARP to be in a position to endorse policies when they have a large financial stake in the outcome. Period. My personal opinion is that we need to move in the direction of single payer health care which has been shown to provide the best health care at the lowest cost as in the case with the French health care system. The French single payer system and is currently rated the best in the world in performance and it costs about 50% as much as a fraction of GDP than our system. The sooner the better. Then AARP would not need to be in the insurance business at all and could focus more on protecting the interests of their membership in other areas.
the smattering of aarp members who have quit the organization is simply representative of the small % of far right/tea-bagging folk who remain susceptible to GOP fear-mongering and lies, who still exist in a vacuum thinking any huge lobbying group is only and truly looking out for the "small man." politics is big business and it ain't pretty. out of 40 million members, 150k to quit the aarp is nothing, and w/ new members at about 2 million, that should speak louder as proof of what the public really wants and backs, which is major healthcare reform. it is a shame the media, esp cnn, sees fit to give these people credence by structuring a stories like this in such a way. it is one thing to lean on ignorance - both for the media and citizens - it is another to treat it as a decisive reflection of what americans want.
There are always going to be those who disagree, even when its not iin their best interests. What percentage of AARP members are against health care reform. I'm sure their membership is in the millions so 150.000 is small. Millions, thats millions, of men, women and children are without health care and will die without health care reform. The States is like a third world country when it comes to health care for its people and all the socialist countries feel sorry for you.
I'm one of the 150,000 people who quit AARP. Besides their sellout to the special interests, when I saw their initials next to the SEIU name I knew that it was time to get out. Looks like our politicians weren't the only ones who sold out to the highest bidder!
Like a lot of dems later this year the, supposed, leadership of AARP should be shown to the door.
Gas prices sure arent going up with the pace of the sluggish economy? I see more and more unemployment but yet see the gas prices are going up at 10 to 20 cents a whack. Why does Obama while he`s socalizing health care not socalizing the oil industry as well? The oil industry has as much to do with our everyday lives as health care does! Why do the American people have to put up with oil companies raping us? Looks like the Dems lose a couple more people in congress, finally they lose the majority and real change can occur! Obamahood aint getting it done! Its destroying this great nation!
This health care freform is a sham! My wife and I work full time and pay over $500 per month for our employee based insurance. Its only going to go up with the advent of public health car in which these people will pay next to nothing and enjoy better health care to boot! No I say go without like many of us have had to do at some point! People with less are not owed by people with more, its called the American dream, you get what you work for! Stop asking for handouts, Obama is ruining entire generations making them lazy and dependent on others!