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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For those of you out there that continue to support this health care reform fiasco, the next time you are at your primary care physician, ask them how the mess that congress is brewing in the middle of the night is going to affect them (and you). I asked mine yesterday, and was told that I would need to find a new PCP if either the senate or house plans passed, because my doctor would be retiring. The loss to Primary Care Physicians is so great that they will no longer be able to afford to practice medicine. Don't believe me, ask your own doctor and find out the truth.
I used to be an AARP member but told them to bite the dust because, according to their brochures and advertising, they were to HELP/assist those of us in retirement age. What they said and what they do is two different things. From my experience and perspective, the only thing I get from them is a bill every year to re-new. Other than that, nothing. If I am going to pay for something, I would like something in return besides another bill.
AARP is in the business of selling insurance, but how many of the membership understand that or realize they are not an advocacy group any more. They come out and act like they are for the seniors, but as with all politics today and that is what this is, you can not believe anyone. I have dropped my membership and refuse to buy from them even if I have to pay more.
good articlle
I also will QUIT AARP. They no longer represent me. You cannot cut Medicare by $500 million, add 30,000 new people, and get the same care. AARP is looking out for themselves and their INSURANCE profits.
The only way to reduce health care costs and balance the federal budget in the long run is to develop actual medical CURES to chronic illnesses, not just "treatments."
We need to fund medical research for cures.
Im 51, in the last 6 months I have received 3 Solicitations from AARP membership saying that I have a free membership (i dont remember the duration). I bet you $100 to your doughnut that all these "new" members are involuntary and included in the numbers they are saying as new members. At 51 I am no where near retired....AARP is just initials they no more represent elder americans than the Sibienese Liberation Army liberated anyone.
FOLLOW THE MONEY!
Where is the vision from our President? in 1961 JFK said, "we choose to go to the moon by the end of this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard"
What I would like to hear is our President say: "We choose to find a cure for cancer by the end of this decade, not because it is easy but because it is hard and by doing so we will reduce the exploding cost of health care and save millions of lives, it will be our gift to the world"
Instead of giving Trillions to his ivy leauge buddies on Wall Street he could be finding a cure for cancer and reducing health care cost so it can once again be affordable for people, You could then create a program for only the uninsured..... Democrats are idiots, Republicans are not far behind.
FOLLOW THE MONEY!
AARP showed its true colors (GREEN) when the insurance debates were going on. They agreed with the Bush Admin to pay the pharmeceutical companies $150 Billion dollars. They later recanted the decision after the legislation passed. When people believe they are helping the elderly, they should ask for salaries and incentives and perks that the top people make. I'll bet they will start to scrutinize AARP a lot closer. It's a scam orgnaization, I've worked for non-profits and it's a stretch to cll them a non-profit. Congress should look into how they sell to the elderly.
Amen. Nice coverage...tellin' the truth.
The world is astounded that a great country like the USA is still so far behind in something as essential as basic health care. Does this debate still need to go on?
I don't know how the leadership of the AARP is selected or elected but time to get rid of these corrupt representatives of the elderly.
This endorsement could not have come at a lesser cost to the public at large than the Nebraska vote, or the Louisiana vote, or many other bought and paid for votes that the Democrats were able to obtain.
This fellow is right on...the only time I hear from AARP is when they want to push some sort of Insurance plan. Ive seen nothing from them that tells me Im being helped. I only remain a member because of the wife's wishes. When I can convince her that this AARP is only out for my Medicare money I will drop AARP like a hot potato.
I am 62 and not a mimber of AARP.
But I will never be with there backing of this helthcare bill. it is a shame.
how can you cut medicare and emprove service?
me and about 60 or more % do not like this plan, but they are still doing it.
don't they listin to the people.
I think AARP is in just for the money. if you look at them closly you will see they are not a loby for the seniors, but an insurance and drug marking operation. they just pretend to care about seniors.
I am one of those NEW AARP members, specifically due to their endorsement of health care reform. And I'm proud of the fact that, so far, I have at least three other people who've joined on my recommendation. Sure its as much an insurance business as an advocacy organization, but in this case it is advocating for us strongly and appropriately.
I find AARP to be 1. self promoting in the products on which it makes a fee, and 2. another entitlement demand group, like ACORN (and its birth parent: National Welfare Rights Organization) which demands things for seniors, but does not address how society will pay the costs of these entitlements. I have been a member for fourteen years and remain disappointed in their postures on a variety of issues where they just want, but don't address how and who to pay. AARP, like Congress and current and past Presdents should be ashamed at the debt legacy they provide to the yourger generations, and the time bomb that may explode on the current recipients if there is continuing failure to be financially responsible.
I am not advocating for those that do not want to pay taxes, but for the country, and its citizens (and guests), to be financially responsible.
I agreed with this business of AARP many years ago. I had dropped my membership upon realizing that they really didn't care about seniors but were primarily interested in making big bucks.
Hopefully, they will get what's coming to them and soon!!!
AARP has always looked out for the interest of Seniors. Once again, the opponents of change and the protectors of the status quo have managed to convince a segment of the population that AARP is part of the evil/socialist/fascist/muslim/terrorist conspiracy that is trying to 'take away our America' – I'm just glad most people see it for what it is.
Bottom line: the health bill is needed, it will lower overall costs and help millions of people, not just AARP members.
I just joined AARP. Any organization that takes on the NeoCons has got to be a great organization.
While I never was a proponent of Medicare Advantage plans, I am a member of AARP and their medi-gap United Health Care policy and I know they are making money off the backs of the retirees. My husband and I are very disappointed in the stand AARP took to support this health care legislation that is purely political and not meant to make real and lasting changes to our multi-layered health care dilemma. Insurance is one big problem that's not been addressed and the other two involve litigation reform (tort reform) and reform of the pharmaceutical industry...not just to help seniors pay for the donut hole! WE NEED REAL CHANGE ALLRIGHT AND THIS AIN'T IT! AARP has sold seniors down the river for their own personal gain!
AARP is a PRIVATELY owned company and it does not disclose any financial information. The AARP exists only to benefit their owners.
Ex-Senator Alan Cranston was an outspoken critic of AARP for just this reason.
I let mine lapse last year and have not renewed. They keep sending me renewal notices with cards inside. Just got one yesterday, and when I opened it, I noted their membership fee is now $16.00 or $16.50 per year, instead of the $12.50 it was when I was still a member. Not renewing.......I'll need that $16.00 or !6.50 to pay towards my healthcare.
The GOP has a half dozen years when it controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. Why did it not reform health care? It is easy to find fault with complex legislation. Maybe the safe thing to do is what the GOP did: nothing.
AARP is not responding at all to its membership. I even emailed them via their web site to ask how I could cancel my membership. I never got a response back. I think it is time that another non-profit be formed to replace AARP. Endorsement of this disasterous political health care program is evidence they are not acting on behalf of their members.
Seniors as a Group are a "special interest" group who are more concerned with their own special interests than what is best for society in general. Seniors as a group want what is best for them. It does not matter if the social welfare they will receive costs more than they contributed. So asking seniors about taxes and health care reform is mute.
I proudly renewed my membership in AARP when they endorsed health care reform. AARP has fought long and hard to assure that seniors have access to good health care, and I do not believe for an instant that their collaboration in United's sale of Medicare supplement insurance influences them to do anything contrary to the best interests of seniors. It is good to see that they seek improvements in the health care system not only for seniors, but for Americans in general.
There has been a relentless campaign of misinformation by rightwing propagandists trying to stop health care reform and preserve the profits and abuses of the health insurance companies. Slandering AARP to try to undermine their endorsement of health care reform is just one of their many tactics of deception.
I left aarp a couple of years ago and was considering comeing back. No way now. I am almost sixty five worked legaly since I was Sixteen, and Obama with aarp help jack me over. I do vote and will vote again, but in a different direction Bill Hopper
I just joined AARP for the first time and have been very disappointed. They send me nothing but junk mail and offers to buy insurance. They are not in touch with the needs of seniors and are a complete sham. Their so called discounts aren't even as large as the senior discounts many stores offer already. They are a very pro insurance highly political organization trying to fool seniors into thinking they actually benefit them.
They are the rich leading the old and unempowered. They should hire seniors living at or below the poverty line to be their executive officers.
Don't be fooled by the low 150K figure of drop-outs. There are a lot of us who just won't be renewing our membership when it comes due. We may not be leaving per se – we're just not coming back.
The issue is with providing affordable medical services. Insurance Medical Service. If the desire is to provide low cost medical services the governement could offer full medical scholarships in exchange for services provided after graduation. These services can be provided in a no fault network in the these physicians cannot be sued. The government can (rent space in hospitals) to accomodate these physicians in piloted locations. Sacrifices must be made.
For Mary in Toronto – Thanks for weighing in on an issue that Canada screwed up years ago. People are covered in the States but I guess you only get the socialist press side of things. The only reason I am writing is because I have a friend from Canada who lost a mother to cancer while waiting for Canada's great socialist experimental medical process to get her the help she nmeeded – more tha 9 months! Get a life!
People – wakeup – it is pretty obvious that many politicians are using the Healthcare debate as a political football. The Republican party should be particularly ashamed of its totally negative role in this debate; but they are not alone – many Democrat Senators and Congressmen are throwing self interest before the good of the people. Clearly the health system is a shambles with a political mantra from the right to 'divide and conquer' ( from Republicans) although they have yet to show that they have reformed the party sufficiently to be permitted to lead the country after having almost totally plunged the country into economic ruins. Fundamentally however, the debate is wrong. What we see is a turf war about shifting the payers, rather than reforming the system. As it is, health care is delivered to all residents in ER rooms (the most expensive way tom deliver it – and that enormous cost is picked up by the taxpayers, and also by those who pay for insurance via ever increasing premiums. Lets level the playing field and allocate these same costs more fairly! Besides that, the debate should be about quality of care at a far better price rather than just lining the pockets of the huge special interest groups that are trying to control the legislative process.
The AARP members will soon be screaming bloody murder when Medicare actually does get cut by $500 Billion Dollars.
It will take longer to see a doctor willing to treat an AARP member at the reduced rates. Perhaps the AARP should just focus on stopping the death panels as a means of maintaining membership levels.
Thanks Barry!
AARP has always been about insurance and have ripped the elderly off for years. They get volunteers for everything including teaching the training course on driving so seniors can get the discount. Guess who gets a kick back from insurance companies for providing this training. The training is a laugh, instrutors are not qualified and sometimes very elderly. I quit them years ago because I saw what they are doing. They have ripped us off for years. Who's interest do you think they have in mind? Not the seniors. They are always lobbying in Washinton for the insurance industry. Should tell you something there?
Why dont we sue the insurance company AARP like was done to the tobacco companies. It is the deception and deception for profiteering against seniors. It is so peculiar to Obama and the liberals– Deception and lies.
Of course I got this from the smoke filled backroom where the democrats are making laws for all of us without any transparency or inclusion. I sure hope you are satisfied with your decision to vote them into office because I am going to vote them out in 2010.
Sam you are so right. AARP and United health are making a killing off the elderly and so is the hartford group auto and homeowners ins. AARP gets commission from the ins. co. Dianne
I wonder how many health insurers (say, Medigap sellers) are carping away on this thread?
Why is it so difficult to reform the health care system in the U.S? The U.S. is the only industrialized country in the world without universal health care for all its citizens. Take a look at Canada, they have got longer life expectancy and lower infant mortality than the U.S., although the U.S. spends more money on health care than Canada. Nobody is complaining in Canada. Everybody will need health care sometime.
I'm a concerned AARP member, but still haven't decided to renew or not. Here are my assessments.
AARP's endorsement of the current health care reform does seem to be motivated by their own special interests, regardless of what they say. Also, the elimination of the donut hole is commendable on the surface, but still overlooks the excess billions being made by drug companies. Lowering the cost of drugs to at least Canadian levels would be much more practical for all consumers and would cut overall Medicare costs a whole lot more than elimination of the donnut hole. In fact, elimination of the donut hole would take away the incentive to move to the lower cost generics which could force expenses higher in the long run.
I know, I switched to three generics this past year and still nearly hit the donut hole. Without that motivation, I probably wouldn't have made the move.
I'd like to know how much of the Medicare expense goes to prescription drugs and how much could be saved by cutting all drug prices to Canadian levels? Also, I'd like to know how much more on average we spend for drugs in this country than abroad? Last, but not least, I'd like to know how many of the drugs we use in this country are made in other countries and add to our deficit?
i will never join aarp. they are all about income redistribution. it is a shill for the demorats/socialist. if our medical system is so screwed up why to canadians come here for the treatments they cant get in canada. health care is not a right. you get what you can pay for. you want to build a paridice here on earth where everyone is fed and housed andtakencare of from cradle to grave. thats absurd!! the reality of the situation is there will always be poor and needy. i dont need to work hard i can stay home, smoke dope and let the govt take care of me. lets all do that!! lets see how long the economy last. grow up people!! no one is going to take care of you but yourself, your family and your chruch.
Is AARP a " for profit " company? I have always though so.
Medicare Fee for Service is a Medicare Advantage plan also...
I dropped out of AARP two years ago. It has morphed into nothing more than an insurance scam designed to enrich those working for the organization as employees. It takes positions that are directly opposed to the well-being of its members and the Country at large.
Bunch of phonies!!
I agree health care needs to be fixed, but why do you think the organization that just screwed up the NW253 flight in Detroit, that runs the IRS, that can't put an energy policy together to save its life - will be the ones to 'fix' healthcare. For those who absolutely hate big business and the special interests must recognize that the US government is the 'biggest' US business (14.6 million). And while it's interest is not profit, it is power. People shouldn't overlook that and what that means.
Also, people need to realize that many countries with government-run healthcare also have private insurance - primarily because the government-run system is insuffient...wait times too long, doesn't cover certain medications and/or surgeries. So disparity in access to some extent can be even worse. I don't know the answer; howver, I do believe the answer is not the government running it because when they do - things seem to get worse. As an example...look at how well the auto makers bailed out by the government did last year....
My 14 brothers and sisters, and all our inlaws and cousins now over 55 years of age (a total of 138), just tore up our AARP membership cards. AARP should not express an opinion on socialized health care when it will gain monetarily. This is a blatant conflict of interest and possibly a conflict of fiduciary interest. They have just told us all the money is more important than our best interests in securing the most affordable and efficient health care (which we already have). These people will lie through their teeth just like all the Democrats in congress that think they can ram the worst legislation possible down our throats. What goes around will definitely come back around to bit them...and soon!
I quit AARP when they signed off on the poor excuse for a prescription drug bill.
I re-joined only for a year, because by doing so it saved me over $200 on a trip I am planning. At the end of the year I will not be renewing again.
The reason people quit is because they can see what the management of AARP is doing, selling insurance and selling names to other companies.
The biggest reason more people do not quit is for the same reason they keep voting in the crooks we have in politics, they cannot think for them selves.
I strongly support AARP's stand on the health care legislation and have renewed my membership, and that of my husband's. I cannot think of a more critical issue for seniors in American than health care reform. My family also pays a great deal for health insurance but that does not mean I don't want other families to have the same health care options that we are lucky enough to have.
Mary in Tor says...
"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."
If millions, that's millions will die why not insure the 30 million without insurance today? if that is a reality why not? Why wait 4 years for health insurance to kick in? Democrats then are letting millions, that's millions die in those 4 years. Wouldn't you agree? I think at this point most Republicans would take a bill that insures just the uninsured! Anything other than this disaster of a bill.
Third world countries including canada would love our healthcare.
The truth is It is about money and power and not millions of lives... but to say you are saving lives makes it more noble. Dems want to pass anything now and tweak it later... but it is getting farther and farther away from what liberals want in the bill.
This issue is important, but it is a tempest in a teapot.
"If" we as a people in America would stop adjusting our health care system around the edges, guided by special interests on both sides of the Congressional system, and reform it completely from the groud up, in the form of the Taiwanese or German models (See FRONTLINE), none of this AARP profiting or not profiting would even be an issue. Instead the Right capturs this debate in some antiquated cold war terminology of "Socialism", and the Left captures the debate within the misnomer of "Capitalism", and lining the pockets of the rich. As long as the People are ignorant of our real choices and are bounced back and forth between the interests of those who have only their own agendas in mind, ...we will never, ever solve this problem. It is up to us.
I am not certain where Sam got his rates for the AARP Healthcare Plan but I have the J supplement and my premiums as of 2010 are $133 per month. I understand that AARP is somewhat of an insurance broker to UHC for the Medicare Supplements, but have found that the coverage and rates are very fair compared to others I have checked. Someone has given Sam misleading information. While I may or may not agree with AARP on the healthcare reform issue, I feel they offer a lot of other beneficial information and discounts and feel that my few dollars a year for AARP membership are well spent.
In the future this won't matter. We will be following the China model. Most people will travel hundreds of miles to menial jobs, live in dormitories, and get to visit "home" a week or two a year. No one will be allowed to retire. You will work until you die. However, the banks will be well taken care of since they are too big to fail. The rest of us will be (already are) too small to matter. Get used to it. This is progress. The Economy is our state religion. All decisions will be based on how they affect the Economy. Your health will be well taken care of as long as the costs aren't great enough to adversely affect the Economy. If necessary, you will all give your lives for the Economy. To get in the way of the Economy will be treason. Long live the Economy.
Mary in Toronto – my response to you is why are there so many Canadians coming down to the US for advanced treatment? Could it be that they do not want to wait 18 months for a knee replacement surgery, and then another 15 months for the second knee? Being a Canadian now living in the US, health care IS NOT FREE. When I came to the US I was making $40K Canadian, and I got a job making $40K US. Guess what, I was taking home $6K more in the US. Thats right, I had 15% more to spend as I saw fit.
Thought AARP was too conservative?!?!?! Read their magazine, which i still get even though i quit them years ago....they align more w/ the Democrats than the Republicans, and I certainly agree that they do not represent retired people.....oh, the socialist countries feel sorry for us? Now ain't that a hoot?! we're supposed to somehow feel guilty about that???? Where's the 'reform' in health care reform? About all we hear about is the government (that's us taxpayers) paying for those who don't have it now.....more wealth redistribution, only in most cases, it ain't wealth that's being redistributed–it's more of my lower/middle income money!
I am an AARP member but I agree with much of the criticism being launched at the organization. It is all about selling insurance but if members would do a little research, they would see that the ones AARP is promoting are not the most economical ones or the best. Shame on this organzation for not truly looking out for the best interests of those it proclaims to represent. I join solely to get the discount at motels.
This is funny to me, because I'm on the other side of the issue - firmly in support of health care reform WITH a public option - and I resigned from AARP several years back when it supported Bush's ridiculous prescription drug plan. I wrote them a brief but pointed letter letting them know I had no interest in remaining with an organization that sold out the Bush/Big Pharma cabal. I cut my card in half and included it with the letter.
I don't miss my membership with AARP at all. Now, with their support of health care reform currently, I at least give them credit for seeing the light. But they haven't gone near far enough in support of the public option for me to join up again.
I cancelled my AARP membership over the health debacle. However, it's not enough just to cancel or not renew; you really need to let them know why!
If Robert is a die-hard Republican, I don't see how he can justify the federal government picking up most of the tab for his current Medicare Advantage policy. If a younger US citizen can not even afford basic health care insurance, he's certainly not going to look favorably on continuing to provide "extra" benefits for seniors. Robert needs to pay for his own "silver sneakers" and "massage therapy" benefit package.
AARP is compromised. It is bought by United Health Care and its other outfits it lends its name to for big money. It no longer represents its members. The lobbying and the dealing in the healthcare legislation are compromised. We need a housecleaning at the board level and at the top to take back OUR organization!
It's odd that the Republicans don't have their own AARP. Maybe it's because Republicans talk Christian but walk like Saducees. After all, Christ's feast was only spiritual, like Santa Clause. Christian Republicans don't believe in welfare, PERIOD. Their concept of social responsibility ends at their front door. It's so easy separating church from fate for them.
My elderly father was suckered for years, having Medicare and AARP's supplemental plan and paying through the nose for almost no coverage. All he ever got from the supplemental plan was "we do not cover this or that, sorry, no money back for you." Once he moved to NY to live with me, I researched and signed him up for BCBS Medicare plan and his benefits skyrocketed and his monthly payment plummeted to $77 for full coverage! When AARP's plan for just supplemental was 3 times that at least. AARP is a money grubbing for profit organization. Do your homework and you will find membership in AARP gives you nothing but non-stop mail solicitation for their various "business partners".
The fact of the matter is............AARP is simply a marketing organization interested only in making money for itself. PERIOD !! The senior thing is just a focused ploy!!
Basically, it amounts to what has been widely suggested. The Dems are cutting benefits to seniors, to fund the poor, who are uninsured.
Nothing but a broad and sweeping statement from the Obama administration, that the elderly don't matter.
The U.S. health care industry could use some improvement, but the two health care bills recently passed in the House and the Senate are not improvements. The changes made in several government sponsored health care programs during the Clinton administration have discouraged the best and brightest young Americans from becoming health care professionals and done nothing to reduce costs. Why should intelligent people spend seven years and lots of money going to medical school only to have their incomes regulated by the government – run the risk of malpractice insurance taking half their remaining income – while they work 18 hour days? It makes more sense to become a lawyer. As long as the Democratic Party has sold out to the trial lawyers – tort reform will not be a part of any health care legislation – and all of Obamas pals will become wealthier at the expense of the medical community and their patients.
Why isn't the AARP advocating tort reform? Because – as several other people have mentioned above – they too have sold out their constituents.
AARP is not advocacy group for older Americans. It is an insurance company interested in protecting its bottom line. It should not have tax exempt status. It should change its name to something more appropriate.
AARP medicare advantage and medigap plans- forget that nonsence. I want my healthcare free like all good patriotic Americans. I sure do appreciate all you hard working, highly paid people who are going to be paying for my healthcare, housing, food, and transportation while I sit on my lazy rearend and watch tv. By the way, does anyone know how I can get free cable tv with all the bells and whistles. That's a government program I could really support. So, thanks to all you hard working rich folks, we'll show Europe how this socialism's done. Ain't America the greatest country in the world.
Perhaps this says something about AARP. I let my membership expire 7 years ago because I differ politically from AARP. I still get their magazine and newsletter–ads.
Cancelled my membership a few years ago, somewhere along the line they got corrupt. In reality just another sham.
AARP's financial conflcts of interest and status as a charitable organization have been controversial for decades. It was after all, founded by an insurance salesman.
I am suspicious that the 150,000 number does not include many, such as myself, who received membership as a gift and never renewed.
stop drinking the right wing cool aide
AARP is a business. It is a business that makes money on selling fear and then insurance to the senior citizens.
Facts are facts. They are screwing the public and the media cares not an iota!
I refused to join AARP when they went against seniors and 'voted' for insurance companies. Remember when they endorsed the increased amounts that seniors would pay for their prescriptions? Now they are for reform. Who are they kidding? This is a ploy to help insurance companies not people. Hell they sell insurance!!!
I can't wait until the GOP makes everyone homeless and the tea-baggers wake up to reality.
Everybody please stop drinking the right wing nut jobs, and tea party nuts
What a joke! This whole healthcare "debate" has been nothing more that the various interests making sure they get their cut. Healthcare companies have bought up politicians. Talking heads have organized 'tea parites.' Blue Dog Dems have padded their political bank accounts at the expense of the tax payers. Why should AARP act differently? I just wonder what Tice is getting?
I am not one of the 150,000 who quit AARP because of its lobbying of issues that do not represent me because I will not join AARP. Every letter my wife and I receive from AARP ends up in the trash which is about what I think of that organization..
The only thing AARP is good for is a discount at motels/hotels. However, because they backed the health bill & continually flood my mail box with insurance offers, I am one of the 150,000 who resigned. Besides, you get a better discount with AAA or military ID.
If you can't trust AARP, then seniors are left to fend for themselves.
AARP, are like Senators and Congressional reps: their only interest is in perpetuating their power through money and supporting the industry that brings them that money. AARP is in bed with the health care indusrty and have a financial interest in their profits over benefit to their membership
I can no longer trust AARP or believe anything they say from now on.
I am a little confused, but mostly disheartened, by Bob Ruff and Carol Costello's story. The bottom line here appears to be the notion that AARP is selling out its members by favoring health care reform, because the legislation includes cuts to these privatized Medicare insurance plans (called Medicare Advantage). If Medicare Advantage plans go down the tubes, that would drive people to buy Medigap policies from people like United Healthcare, which has a deal with AARP.
But the story goes on to say that AARP and United Healthcare also sell Medicare Advantage plans. Hmmm. So wouldn't AARP make money if Medicare Advantage plans aren't cut? Yet they're supporting a bill that cuts Medicare Advantage. Why would they do that?
Elsewhere, I read that Medicare Advantage spending is growing by leaps and bounds - up 21 percent in 2008 alone - which, when you think about it, is not that great for Medicare's long-term survival. We can't continue to finance Medicare if we're going to see growth like that in any particular part of Medicare. (I think I also read somewhere that hospice costs under Medicare tripled between 2000 and 2006. Wow. I support hospice, they took great care of my mom when she passed away, but a tripling of costs - that bears watching. ) You notice you didn't see anything about that in the Ruff and Costello story.
I am wondering if anyone associated with a privatized Medicare plan might have more to gain, financially, by having private Medicare Advantage plans continue to crowd out traditional government-run Medicare.
Now, that might not be so great for me or a lot of other older people, or taxpayers. Medicare's in enough financial trouble already and anything that is growing 21 percent per year is growing way too fast for Medicare to remain sustainable. That means Medicare goes broke sooner.
But it would be good in the short term for any outfit, like AARP, that has teamed up with a big Medicare Advantage provider like United.
And yet AARP is supporting cuts to Medicare Advantage - cuts that, according to the congressman Costello quotes, would destroy Medicare Advantage - a big profit center for United Healthcare.
So it seems like one side-effect of health-care reform is that AARP would lose money if Medicare Advantage gets cut, but it might make money if more people get Medigap policies - assuming they buy the policies from United Healthcare, which is not certain. Yet Ruff and Costello's story seems to suggest that AARP's financial interest is all one way, all black and white, another big institution that is selling us out.
Why would Ruff and Costello downplay the Medicare Advantage angle so much, and flat leave out that AARP stands to gain if Medicare Advantage keeps growing? Is that because it would confuse their point, which seems to be, based on their quotes of the congressman and the upset AARP member, that AARP is really just a big bad insurance lobby? It certainly does make the situation a lot murkier and it isn't consistent with the focus of their "Lobbying for Your Health" series, which seems to be designed to show us that the whole health-care debate is just a bunch of tawdry special-interest scumbags feathering their own nests at our expense. That's a nice safe populist story line - it's unlikely to irritate too many readers and it helps make CNN look less like the Clinton News Network.
But maybe there's more to reality. Maybe what's really going on here is that AARP has a bunch of different things to balance and that it came down in favor of something that it thinks would protect Medicare over the long haul, even if it's not guaranteed to be good for AARP's bottom line. Getting into the Medicare Advantage stuff too deep would mess up a nice clean story line - AARP = bad.
Well, too bad. This is cable journalism, not a Noble Search for Truth. OK, that deals with the "confusion" part. Now, as to the "disheartened" part.
Maybe Ruff and Costello are, while not exactly profiles in journalistic courage, just realistic working stiffs. These days, who among us can believe that any of our institutions might be looking past their own interest, even if they are? That's the spirit of the times. Trust no one but yourself and those who agree with you. The other guy's a demon. Your side can do no wrong. Demand ideological purity above all else, and the scumbag politicans are all evil.
So . . . is anyone else dishearted about what the health debate has shown us of our ability to solve big problems? You know, that Dorgan guy may be right to quit and get the heck out of town.
Hey Timmy
If you are complaining about your $500 health insurance premiums why are you againt reform?
You may as well say that you are happy about paying more.
I think that you are confused about the real issues.
Stop listening to the HMO schills ( right wing nuts)
I'm 60 years old and I have never nor shall I be a member of AARP. I don't need an organization to tell me what's in my best interest, in fact I resent that whole concept. Invariably I find myself diametrically opposed to their position.
The whole "health care reform" currently being rammed down our throats is a fiasco. I see no reform just higher costs for all of us. I wish they would scrap the whole thing and start over. I can't wait for the next set of elections. Maybe then someone will listen,
Something's strange here. AARP sells both medigap AND Advantage programs. I've seen figures that state that Medicare Advantage programs COST the government between 14 and 17 percent MORE than traditional Medicare. We've been pleased with our AARP/United Healthcare coverage and won't consider Advantage programs. They can be bad news.
Excellent comments regarding AARP's loyalties and revenue stream from insurance providers.
I travel to Wash DC from time to time and came upon AARP's offices. I was appalled to see their new HQ building....very opulent and luxurious....sort of reminds me of insurance company edifices.
Fred in Illinois
I agree with TImmy. I am tired of the "haves" (meaning me and my family) paying for the "have nots." I shouldn't be punished for choosing to scrimp and save and go to college (which I paid for myself, not with grants, etc.) and then trying to find myself a decent career job. People do feel like they are owed something when they have nothing and that is total b.s. If you want better, get it for yourself without stepping on others. Be a contributing member of society and don't feed off everyone else.
Indygal…before you go jumping to conclusions take a close look at AARPs response to the 150K who have quit (meaning sent back their cards with a complaint letter). They say that 2 million have joined OR renewed. I would have expected more than 2 million renewals in a normal year. They don’t say how many have let their memberships lapse like Mr. Tice. For every 1 who wrote the letter I bet there are at least 10 like Mr. Tice. I wonder if AARP would be willing to release their exact total membership numbers from January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2010. Before you go putting down “these people” who are genuinely concerned about out of control government spending, maybe you should try to take an objective look at BOTH sides of the argument. Before you go calling others “ignorant” you might try looking hard in the mirror because the AARP wool is way down over your eyes.
My wife and I won't be renewing our AARP membership. AARP has become a self-serving marketing machine that ignores the input of its membership.
I didn't renew my AARP membership when I began receiving their ads selling all kinds of insurance, and other stuff, AT HIGHER PRICES than you can get elsewhere. Seniors may assume that since it's an offer made by an organization that purportedly represents their interests, it must be a good deal. So they go for it without shopping around.
Basically, AARP is exploiting, and cashing in on, old people who naively trust them. I call this elder abuse. The organization should be called out as simply a business whose income comes from conning seniors.
I am done with them too......The supporters of this scam will be in for a BIG surprise when this is effective. Let's see...the government has run social security in the ground and now they think they can oversee this expense? The big surprise will be when someone needs a medical procedure and the government will determine who gets it first....the 40 year old or the 65 year old. TAKE A GUESS.
AARP created an immage of being similiar to Consumer Reports when it started. Today they are nothing more than Big Pharma.
Nothing more than a fraud. If they want to help seniors please return to the "Consumer Report" watchdog originally given to the public. That will assist seniors in a meaningful way.
As a practicing physician it is clear the AARP does little to fairly represent Seniors in the Health Care debate. For example the Mayo Clinic is touted by the President to be the future model for 'efficient' health care delivery. Do you realize that the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic does not participate in Medicare (meaning you can be seen but you will pay more) and a Mayo affiliate in Glendale, Arizona will not see Medicare patients unless they pay cash. This is the future the AARP has committed to and endorsed. it will no doubt help their insurance and ancillary product sales. Also if the is the proposed 21% Congessional cut in Medicare to physicians is enacted the care and access to good doctors for this population will be non-existent but AARP is silent!
I want to tell you about AARP, my wife and I both paid into them for 7 years and when I had to have surgery they only paid $100.00 out of $6,000.00 on hospital and nothing on the doctor. Charles E. Young
Sam has it right. The fact is the AARP is overcharging its members for virtually all of the "benefits" it offers. The only worthwhile benefit of membership is the discretionery discount offered by many hotels and tour operators. This probably accounts for the vast majority of membership renewals. The organization's motives are highly suspect in the area of healthcare and other insurance products.
AARP generally supports seniors goals and issues. Their position will not satisfy everyone but they are consistently looking out for the majority of seniors. I welcome their input and support for the Health Insurance Reform and will continue to be a member.
mary in toronto,
Learn something, then shut up.
The people writing here who are apologists for the Fat Cats running the AARP have no clue.
The AARP leadership consists of a bunch of really really smart people who have found a way to make a really good living convincing uninformed elderly to pay them money for nothing.
The folks who this pointless so-called health care is supposed to ensure, are the dregs who choose to sit at home and collect food stamps and other welfare.
These types will always head for the hospital at 2am, instead of making a doctor's appointment and sitting in a waiting room. These people would rather sit for hours in an ER.
The Republicans are just as bad as the Democrats in that they will use any means possible to gain voters. In this case, the Democrats push a useless expensive program on the Middle Class, people liberals hate, to garner votes.
Health care reform should be implemented via a pilot program only for legal residents of this country who are unemployed and/or for legal residents who do not have health care benefits. A pilot program will help tell us if the new health care bill works or if it doesn't. It will certainly indicate flaws in the system. Those people who have medical benefits and like their benefits should be allowed to keep them at no additional fees. How about listening to the people? Ask them what they want, and don't want.
If you want quality care, and a better quality of life move to COSTA RICA. As I plan to do in four more year!
So AARP is profit driven but the Republicans backed by private insurers aren't? Are you serious?
it is surprising, really, of all the seniors who are against the reform, when it will help them. i remember all the seniors who were "for" the perscription drug bill....at least until they fell into the donut hole.
as for the new changes....public option? not bad if you are a retired senior with no other option......pre-existing coverage? any senior has a pre-existing condition. image if you could not get your meds because of a pre-existing condition you had 50 years ago......cap on expenditures? Wouldnt; it be nice to not lose your house and all fo your savings if you get real sick?
I really wish these seniors would get with the program and start supporting a program that will benefit THEM. tsk tsk. I will respect only those who command respect – not demand respect.
Get with it seniors. Get with it! Out of your cacoons and get educated for your, and your children's sake.
I resigned my AARP membership after they sold all of us seniors out. I cut up my card and placed it an an envelope with a few pieces of toilet tissue and mailed it back with a note: "You know what you can do with this card, and if you don't the other pieces of paper will give you a hint". AARP does not represent seniors, they represent themselves. They sold us out to make money on their MediGap insurance. Where were they on the lack of SSI COLA's for the next two years also. My family and I are furious Independents at AARP and this Congress as well as our President.
Ray NM
AARP are con artists. Do not trust them with your retirement! I tried to talk to them about the healthcare debate, and all they sent me was a canned email.
For the sake of America, I surely hope that AARP (and other corrupt organizations) soon go out of business, (and let's do anything we can to accomplish that eventuality).
There are yet millions more of us who think what AARP did is disgusting. We are letting our membership lapse too after being members for 14 years!
I am also one of the many who let their membership lapse. AARP does not exist to help seniors. They are out there to sell insurance. I have faced a constant barrage of solicitations to buy insurance. Their support of the health care bill was the last straw.
Insurance wouldnt go up if the freaking Republicans would start working with instead of just trying to obstruct anything and everything.
Add in a public health insurance option and watch as rates fall real low. Health care in this country is a big scam