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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If this health care bill is so wonderful that Pelosi says it is going to pass no matter what, why aren't members of the House and Senate required to sign up for it? Why can't we get the special health benefits/plans THEY get? Will those special people have to sign up or just those of us that don't have a choice? Pelosi and Obama will never have to buy into this. What's wrong with this picture?
So, "2 million new or renewed members"? Is that anything like Obama's "million jobs created or saved"? Are you buying this crap?
Everyone is missing the point completely when it comes to health care. AARP isn't the problem, and The problem isn't "insurance". The bills being considered in congress aren't the answer. The problem isn't "unavailable healthcare". The problem is HEATHCARE IS EXPENSIVE
AARP should be focusing on the cost of medical care and insurance for seniors. I object to their endorsement of the Healthcare Reform Bill because I do not believe it addresses these issues. While they should work with our government representatives for the interest of seniors, out right endorsement should not be done.
More and more doctors are refusing to accept Medicare insurance. In the state of Alaska, there are none in Anchorage. The only options are to go the emergency room or the public clinic (not a pleasant option). Also, more and more doctors are doing to a concierge program which charges patients $1600 per person in addition to insurance, co-pay and deductibles. Plus the cost of insurance for seniors continues to rise at an alarming rate. How much longer can serniors absorb these cost? The bill currently being considered does little to address these issues.
As one who left AARP and opposes their entitlement mentality, I find it interesting that I still receive solicitations from them almost daily for their primary business activity, selling insurance. The AARP leadership perspective is much like the current Democratic leadership – "we have constituents that can not take care of themselves or think for themselves so the federal government must step in and save them."
All seniors want is what they were promised. Did the AARP administrators grant themselves a raise/bonus this year like our Congressmen? While somehow for seniors the cost of living hasn't increased, just the cost of medical care, Rx, food, gas, fixing anything, rent, utilities, etc but we still do not warrant an increase in benefit, just an increase in cost of Medicare.
No wonder polls show the top dogs will be voted out of Congress, some jumping ship to avoid the embarrassment of being voted out. All the leadership has done is attempted to add entitlements with huge deficit projections while not figuring out how to pay for the entitlements they already own. Thanks to these guys each of my ten grandchildren owe the world $40,000+ and growing. By the time they get old enough to work they will owe more than a years pay for a good job. This the result of groups like AARP demanding benefits without understanding the consequences. AARP needs new leadership and focus.
AARP CEO Barry Rand is a real jerk. Anyone who thinks that taking 650 billion dollars from an already bankrupt Medicare system is not going to cost more for retirees or restrict their service options is in a real dream world. AARP(american association for retired persons) is supposed to lobby for these seniors......not lobby with my money "for the health care of all generations". Health care reform is fine.........just don't take by far the largest cost burden from the seniors who need it as much as anyone else.
Why did the AARP take the email contact off their website so members in the majority cannot voice their view? What is mr. Rand's motives? Financial? Kickback of some kind? Political?
AARP views are not those of the majority of their members.
PS: Please do a little research and you will find out there are much more econimical plans with increased coverage out there than the ones AARP is pushing (to get their kick back).
AARP is definately a conflict of interest, and the ONLY reason the insurance companies (AARP) back Obamacare is because they see 30 million new subscribers. However, to those who want a single-payer system to model like they have in Europe (I.e.,the French) need to understand that EVERYBODY in Europe pays a percentage of their income in taxes, which is unlike the U.S where 40% of the people in pay zero income tax. If this is what they want, than there should be a firm flat tax (say 10%) for everyone, and then a gradulated scale for people about a certain level. There is no free lunch.
What ever happened to am I my brother's keeper. I was taught that blood is thicker than water; but it did not stop there. I had to figure out who my brother was; America, and all of you rich & poor. I have defended you with my life and I refuse to stand back and watch you die. To deny someone health care in 2010 is criminal. I have worked all of my life serving this country and my fellow man. I will never receive the benefits which I have paid into. However, there is hope that someone, anyone, will not lose a mother, father, sister, or brother, because they could not afford medical care. Everyone needs to get over themselves and their own selfish genders and give back to this great country.
Count me in with the thousands who have torned up their AARP cards. AARP has shown their real colors in how they let their greed come before those who they are suppose to represent.
All of you people who are talking "smack" about the AARP will not be complaining later on this year when perscription costs go down significantly because our new health care bill now covers the donut hole. You people complaining in this article are sniveling Republicans who are attacking the AARP for supporting President Obama. All of you baby Boomers who are now entering retirement within the Republican category could care less about the straing your increased population would bring to the current inadequate funding for medicare coverage to American citizens. You're all a sorry bunch of conservative folks who want to retire and selfishly bankrupt the current system with the increasing enrollees within you're demographic. The AARP defends cheaper more affordable prices for retired persons....and any Bozo who assumes the status quo holds Insurance companies accountable is speaking for Conservatives and not the mainstream America.............
The AARP is in the hip pockets of the Democratic party. They do not represent the 55 and over crowd. They are all about greed and the almighty dollar. I am one of those 150 thousand that has quit and received a refund for my dues. I urge all those that feel the AARP is not working for us to do the same.
Are you saying that the rest of the educated and prosperous world, which includes the intelligent nad hardworking Europeans are all stupid and love handouts? Get your facts straight become more informed before you blame the President of creating lazy people. Does something become relevant only when tragedy and misfortune hits home? Let us be realistic and be proud and grateful to one gutsy president who had the gumption to do what he said he would in spite of such ignorant hatred and misinformation.
The phrase "Recommended by the AARP" loses its meaning when you understand they get paid for their endorsements and, if a competing company chose to pay more, they would change their recommendation.
Besides, most of their other services discounts can be obtained through other affinity organizations or just through careful negotiation or rates or prices.
The AARP, like many other organizations (most of which use television to tout their wares) are self serving groups that try to prey on the elderly.
Shame on them!
The one thing I ask people in the health care debate: Has the federal government ever done anything efficiently or effectively? The short answer is no. The federal government is a consumer of resources and not a producer. Federal government involvement in a program jacks the cost of the program up tremendously.
Let's look at major entitlement and other programs the government is responsible for: Social Security is broken, Medicare is broken, Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac are broken and the government is broke yet spending money we don't have. So why does anyone have any confidence in the government running healthcare or planning reform.
Let's look at the government's handling of the economy. Billions went to GM and Chrysler to prevent them from going into bankruptcy only to have them go in bankruptcy. We should have let them go into banruptcy and saved the billions we gave them. We also have very little hope of getting that money we gave them back. Congress couldn't even get the cash for clunkers program funded and operating correctly and it is simple compared to health care reform.
What did TARP do for main street. Short answer nothing, lending is still extremely tight. Additionally, the President's promise of money to help main street refinance has not been successful at all. Again not alot of confidence that government reformed/run health care will be good for main street.
Finally what are the real reasons Health Care costs are escalating? For example, are drugs driving up costs? How about malpractice insurance and awards? What are the reasons for escalintg costs? How does any health care proposal address those reasons? Are we simply treating the symptons with health care reform and not the disease causing escalating health care costs?
So when folks ask why are we still debating health care reform it is because the government is inept at handling our tax dollars. It is because once in place it will be hell to reform health care, look at social security and medicare, Congress knows reform is needed but unable to enact reform. That we need health care reform is not in question. What is in question is how we enact reform that improves service, reduces cost and is affordable in the long run for all segments of the society.
I let my membership lapse. I joined two years ago and had high expectations. I applied for their medical insurance plan only to be told that my wife's pre-existing diabetes disqualified us from their one and only plan. They promised a host of benefits, but unfortunately, they were empty promises.
I have read about half of the comments and i am about to stroke out.
To you Canadians who have such a fine medical system, i ask - why do so many of the people from Ontario come to Detroit for medical treatment ? Too long a waiting line in Toronto ? Not enough equipment or properly trained people in Windsor ?
I plan on cancelling with AARP this week. I have learned to put no trust in any politician, even less in any big business person who gets a bonus. Take note tax payers. My former boss would, every so often shriek BOHICA !! in frustration. He finally told me tht it means, " Bend over Here It Comes Again !! "
Also, I can not resist asking you Cana types - why does Moose Head Beer cost about 50% less in Brownsville, Texas than it does in Winnepeg, Manitoba ?? It must be for your own good.
As a right wing, flag waving Republican, I do belive that something needs to be done with healthcare. I believe that every person should have access to health care but I do not believe that the reform that is coming out of Washington is going to be the "Magic Bullet". Please, anyone, show me a government program that is efficient; especially this one that has been hobbled together and rammed down our throats just so the Dems could say they passed a health care bill. And, Mary from Canada, thank you for your care and concern for this lowly third world country. Apparantly you have a lot of misguided people in Canada. When I was working in the hospital in Florida, we did seem to get a lot of you being treated for conditions that were not covered by your advanced medical care. Imagine!
Typical politics. Reach out and try to hurt an organization that doesn't agree with you, no matter what they stand for. Here, the tea baggers and Republicans are trying to organize scare tactics ("they're an insurance company") against a good organization for taking a stance in favor of reforming a very bad system.
As for seniors in general, I do lose some sympathy. If you guys were following the corrupt politicians a little closer when you were younger than we wouldn't need to fight so hard today. The Good Ole Times... they never existed except in the movies and your imagination.
Don't look to government for help. As soon as you are too old to earn money and pay taxes, they want you to die. You are just a burden to them
it's like union, once they get everyone fool, only AARP's director and his buddies profit big. why don't someone check and see how much AARP's director gets pay?
"It's not an issue we have lobbied on" is not the same thing as "none of that is true". Nice dodge, but we're not that stupid. AARP is simply another business attempting to make money, but in this case it is preying on the elderly with deliberately misleading advertising. They should be required, by federal regulation of the health insurance industry, to disclose that the ONLY benefits of membership are eligibility to buy their health insurance products.
I'm just amazed that so many "seniors" tend to forget that prior to mid 1960's there WAS no Medicare and that medical bills put them in huge financial risks of heath problems. It is NOT necessary to buy supplemental insurance, nor is AARP the only company that has a stake in insurance. For all these "seniors" who don't think everyone else should have an equal chance at a similiar insurance, I say get off Medicare and find your own policy!!
The proposed changes to our health care system may not be ideal but it is a start. Its really great that the ones who have insurance are smug and pleased but if you get a dire illness, get dropped or denied coverage your tune will change in a heartbeat. When you and your spouse risk losing your home if one of you requires long term care your tune will change in a heartbeat. Your attitude is ignorant, selfish and self-defeating. Assuming that anyone without insurance is a deadbeat is ridiculously off base. We are not crazy for demanding changes. You are crazy for accepting the insurance companies dominance over your health and the financial health of our businesses who are unfairly burdened by the bloated system. We are the ONLY civilized nation on earth that does not have some form of universal coverage. You deserve it, we all deserve it.
If AARP is organized for-profit and 75% of their revenue is from insurance, any benefit to seniors is incidental/accidental? to their pursuit and lobbying for profits. We need a benevolent non-profit organization for seniors, but AARP is a monster pretender. The sad result here is that seniors are duped into thinking that AARP is their champion when in fact they have none.
AARP is a waste of money. I received their solicitation when I was about to turn 50 and got angry because I was wondering how they got access to my date of birth!!! I read their literature and saw nothing that I could benefit from. I recently got another solicitation and noticed they'd raised their yearly dues. If I want my opinion known, I can advocate for myself. You can never trust a large organization to look out for your interests. If they were really an advocacy group, they would offer free membership. They can afford to lobby with the funds they make from their insurance arm. (I've never joined and never intend to...they are a joke!)
I believe that AARP's statement of 150,000 does not accurately represent the number of people upset with their endorsement and looking elsewhere for representation. If they are like me, they will let their membership lapse and not tell AARP why. I suspect that some, like myself, will want to "stick it" to AARP by keeping their membership, driving up their cost (printing, follow-up mailings, etc) and then not renewing their membership.
As an AARP member, I am pleased that AARP is backing the health reform efforts of the President and Congress. Perhaps my health care will cost me a little more, but as a decent, industrialized society, we must insure that all our citizens have adequate access to health care. This is only a first step. We have more to do, including rationalizing our health care system, perhaps stopping unnecessary suits against hospitals and doctors (provided their professional institutions actually do monitor and rid the system of unqualified or otherwise dangerous medical practitioners or institutions – which they don't at this time in my view.) We need to work together to insure that no one is left out or left behind. Let's finish the health care work and then:
Next step – more government help for those in need for education through college and free remedial and job trainingcourses for those that need them.
I dumped these jackholes years ago and never looked back. The guy who was running AARP at the time (and may be still for all I know) was interviewed in the Sunday Times. I never read more arrogant comments. It was clear then and even clearer now that these vampires care nothing for the seniors they claim to serve. They are running a business, pure and simple. Senior citizens are simply a market for them. Not a cause.
@inuk of the north
lol...Canadians have the choice and most times paid option to go south for treatment.
I'd take OHIP over any other North American plan any day.
But I do like the fact if you've got money the US will put you front and foremost for any treatment you might want...beats waiting for those who truly need it first to get out of your way.
AARP.....what a joke. They want your membership dues to pay for their lobbyists. Your address, so their ripoff affiliates can send you quotes for health, auto and supplemental insurance that you could buy cheaper on your own. Your email address so they can send you more of the propaganda on how they are looking out for your old asses and asking for more money.
Their mailers save me the trouble of buying toilet paper.
aarp support for the democrats outragious health care bill is criminal, self serving and unsupported by the membership.
They support the deocratic regimes plan to bancrupt this country.Handout coverage at the expense of hard working Americans to the lazy, non productive good for nothings. obama is using our hard earned savings as a give away. Are we now living in a communist state governed by the czars.
AMERICANS VOTE NO FOR THE HEALTH CARE BILL!
I laugh everytime that I read a story about AARP and people being shocked that it earns more money brokering insurance than memberships. Anyone who looks at its roots understands that AARP was started to sell insurance by an insurance company. For the first years of it existence it didn't even own its own membership list.
AARP is not a substitute for our participation in the political process. Just because we are senior citizens does not mean we allow AARP to speak for us. Those who are unhappy need not join AARP. They can also do what many of us do anyway, write to your congress people, the president, the newspapers and anyone else in power. Get your friends to do the same thing. WE do have power.
Hmmm...
President Obama on tv promises no reduction in medicare protection.
President Obama, out of the otherside of his mouth, endorses a 500 billiion cut in medicare benfits. House democrats pass a bill with those cuts. Senate democrats do the same.
AARP applauds those horrific cuts that can only hurt seniors.
Meanwhile the government (read democrats) creates an H1N1 swine flu vaccine that is for everyone!! (Except for those americans over 64.)
Time we all got together and voted as a bloc. As for me, I'm done voting for ANY democrat – ever again. I used to be dumb enough to believe all their promises.
Sigh...
As one of the 150,000 (obviously insignificant members according to David Certner w/AARP) who discontinued our membership and are returning to sender everything we receive from AARP, I want to say that it is CLEAR that AARP arrogantly believes that 2,000,000 other members stayed or joined due to the position the organization took on Healthcare. I personally believe the other members haven't researched health care reform and are, like most of the citizens of the USA, complacent and believe there is NOTHING they (citizens) can do. I do not agree and plan to 'end the complacency' beginning in my house, branching out to my neighborhood, my city, my county uniting with like minded citizens who believe this country is INDEED of, for and by the PEOPLE not the fat-cat governmental representatives and, most certainly, not AARP!
Hey Timmy,
Do you prefer that the insurance executives get the"hand out"? Almost every industrialized nation in the world has a government supported health system except us. Don't see everybody on welfare? Frankly, most European countries & Canada seem happy with their systems & glad they are not on ours. In case you didn't know, they also get 6 weeks a year PAID vacation.
As the article correctly points out: AARP is first and foremost—an insurance company! That Democrats in general, and the President in particular, have endorsed such a ruse at the expense of the elderly by inferring that the AARP has their healthcare interests at heart when in fact the AARP endorsement was motivated solely by greed, says volumes about all. Shame on AARP. Shame on the President. Shame on the Democrats. And, shame on all those so ignorant that they’ve become the mark.
I believe it is time that every American is accorded the respect of the recognition that each life is of value and has an expectation of having access to health care. It is ethically wrong for a country to operate on the premise that only wealthy people have a right to healthy, long lives.
The seeds of this AARP tempest were sewn by Palin's lies about "death panels". I can't believe how uninfomed and gullible this group of elderly people are and yes, ignorant.
Further, the element of the elderly who are afraid they might have to share their health care privileges are primarily saying "I've got mine, so screw everyone else."
I saw the e-mail of one man's anger at AARP spread through the internet and dismissed it as so much Palin-inspired corn pone.
Instead, I find that, incredibly, people were responding to this manufactured fecal matter.
While the rest of the insurance industry pours millions into lobbying and ads fighting the health care bill and arousing suspicion in the elderly, money we will all have to pay back in our raised rates, I am disappointed to such an obvious self-interested ploy work on so many! I'm embarrassed at fellow seniors being so gullible as to buy the propaganda of said insurance industry to the extent that they actually see AARP's support of the Public Option and the Health Care Bill as a betrayal!
Can they be so blind as to miss the irony here? They are playing into the hands of those "capitalists" who feel threatened by the potential spectre of competition and fair practices! They are the unwitting – or witless – tools of an industry that doesn't give a rat's behind about them! AARP has proven their compassion over the years! They also see the necessity for the creation of a healthier young and middle-aged population in order for the senior years to indeed be "golden".
Now we're faced with the likelihood of no public option, and the middle class gets it in the shorts again: no public option = no competition. The obese cats win again.
At sixty-five, newly on Medicare and overwhelmed at the realization of the massive expense our taxpayers pay for senior health care alone, I only see the need to police the rampant fraudulent billing that occurs throughout the Medicare system. This urgently, so as to form a system that fairly serves everyone – affordably.
Health insurance premiums and prescription cost have been increasing at an alarming rate for the last ten years. They did not just start going up since President Obama took office. President Obama decided this issue was important enough to address it because the last administration chose to ignore it. So GOP, quit blaming our president. He took the initiative to deal with the problem. The GOP has done nothing but criticize, call names and use fear to attempt to turn the American people against the only person to look out for the American people. So what that there is another health care provider in the mix. Doesn’t that competition help us all? I for one would relish a company that will not turn me down for a pre existing condition. And as far as the government hands on my body, what the heck is medical and Medicare? People should look for the information themselves and make an intelligent decision on their own instead of AM radio doing all their thinking for them.
AARP is not the only group/foundation receive and take advantage of Medicare and Seniors. I worked for Easter Seals in Miami and they were charging for multiple sclerosis screening, yet Dr. Robert Silverman and Dr. Bornstein was charging for other procedures they were not performing. I watched them do it, they also asked Dr. Robert Silverman to resign from the Board of Directors and be on the auxiliary board, were he’s at right now.
I quit them after a16 yr. membership.I dont intend to re-join for any reason.
gee i woke up early in my relationship with aarp
1-double billing for membership
2- issuing plastic cards as reminder to renew
3-not letting me know that secure horizon had ended
their contract with my pcp and hospital
4-endorsing everything including bugs on the wall
5- you can deal with everyone they endorse yourself6-
6-what are they giving you???? nada
Sure, timmy, and die quickly!!!!
I want to become the 150,001 person to drop my membership but it appears that others are beating to the punch! Everything that AARP is about anymore is Insurrance and not what they were orignally all about. We need an organization that cares about us the senior and helps us instead of taking helping the insurance company take billions of dollars from us.
I seems to me like most of this is hypocritical. How can a company be a big, bad insurance company only out for profits but be for Health Care Reform that will undercut private health insurance profits? Why all the complaining about a company making money in the free market system. I thought you Republicans loved the free market system...big business and competition, right? Looks to me like AARP would be the kind of company you would applaud. Then there's the "don't take from the haves and give to the have nots" argument. Yet you cling to your Medicare, a government option and takes from the haves and gives to you. If you're going to have such principles stand by them. Don't accept Medicare and stop complaining about AARP making money.
Medicare is a fraud. It stated purpose when I joined was to work for the protection of federal health care and benefits for retired persons 65 years and older. The program is now to be expanded down to 50 years and older. Under the new health care reform this is accomplished by removing $500 billion dollars (over a 10 year period) from the existing medicare program (65+ years old) in order to cover the 50-65 year-old members. AARP's endorsement of the plan jeopardizes the health of every person 65 years and older and blatantly contradicts their earlier stated policy. The government has PROMISED to make up the $500 billion over the next ten years to support those over 65 by negotiating with the Pharma Industry and the Health Care Providers to lower their costs!. This statement makes me hurl. The very greed and excesses in our wonderful capitalistic system defeat this statement while it is stiil hot of of the politicians' mouths. Out of all the promises the federal government made during your lifetime, how many have you actually seen come true? Below 5%.
i love David Certner's response when asked if any of what the article reports is true... "it's not an issue we have lobbied on at all."
that comes nowhere near to answering the question. he's obviously dodging the question with this reply, which gives us reason to believe that it is true.
We will no longer be a part of AARP. I agree that they are just one more group that have been bought off by the liberals following our president. The middle class people young or old are in for a very bumpy ride with Obama and his new health care plan. If it was so above board there wouldn't be so many things done in private behind closed doors and all the bribes/payoffs from the president. Scarey times for honest people.
I quit AARP years ago when I realized that AARP's interest was not with seniors but with insurance and drug companies. At the time my issue was with AARP's sponsored drug company. I received no help from AARP in solving the problem.
So AARP endorses the Health Care bill and openly say that they had not read it but will do so later. Now that's really comforting. It's call a sell out of the seniors that they are supposed to be representing. No matter where you are on the health bill buying anything, not knowing what it is and paying for it for three or four years before it's delivered is insane. AARP has not clue about anything except what's in it for them moneywise. They have sold their integrity, if there was ever any for a "few pieces of silver". Look at who is in charge at AARP. Forty and fifty somethings. They have not even a sight clue about what iut is to be a real senior and certainly don't know what is in the best interests of real seniors. All of the AARP so called top people should find the nearest exit and use it if this is their highest and best performance.
SENIORS! Fight socialism: CANCEL YOUR MEDICARE. Send a clear message to Washington that YOU won't be a parasite on the back of the American taxpayer.
I believe that the "American dream" should be possible for EVERYONE. That includes the millions who don't have any way of obtaining health coverage. I think all Americans should realize that if the so called "conservative party" (the GOP) had its way we wouldn't have social security or medicare today. Yes, with every large corporation, private or public, there are problems with the "system" but compared to not even trying to fix a problem that has gone on for decades, I say "it's time for health care reform". As for AARP, although I have always declined their attempt at getting my membership, backing healthcare reform is NOT one of the reasons. PAC's should not be allowed and we should watch how our elected officials vote on issues more closely, and when they are out of control, get rid of them. Very few are worth keeping for very long.
Health care is not and should never be a "right." This administration is using heavy scare tactics and changing numbers to their advantage on a daily basis. How may people without insurance? 30 million? 17 million? 47 million? This entitlement mentality coupled with class warfare is how Obama is making the populace passive and open to being dependent on government. Anyone arguing that he is not a Socialist is either ignorant or blind.
FYI: AARP is (now) really UnitedHealth Care (UHC) and UHC has a long history of sticking it to their members. Look it up.
I'm in full agreement with Mr. Tice. I think we are being take for ride by AARP. I don't think I'll be renewing my long standing membership.I can not identify any thing that has benefitted me personally that the organization done.
We are 2 of that 150,000. I see that at least one commenter missed a fine point regarding what a small % that 150K is: note AARP says they had "2 million who either joined or renewed"...so the number of new members is probably a lot less than 2 million.
In any case, my observation is that, no matter what they espouse as principles, most organizations' #1 priority becomes their own survival. We feel AARP sold out to the politicians as well as what seems to be its main business: being an insurer, or sponsor of insurers, itself. If they truly feel their position on health care reform serves the greater good, I applaud them. Only time will tell. But I sure question whether they are unbiased in support of their members when they have such a strong interest in providing insurance.
Mary inToronto feels sorry for the US? Really? hahahahahahahaha
From my experience with AARP all they are is a marketing arm for the Hartford Insureance Co. There actions boarder on the crimial. Their endorsment of the new heath care bill tells me its bad bill.
This is a BOGUS organization! We had our suto and home insurance with them through, " The Hartford" They overcharged us by hundreds and hundreds of dollars! The way we found out, is we got a mailer from a national insurance company and called them, got a rate and we were ASTOUNDED, at the low rate they gavve us and that was 5 years ago and it still is low even after having an accident! Meantime we got a mailer saying there was a CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST "THE HARTFORD" FOR OVERCHARGING CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!!! Stay away from AARP.
My problem with AARP is that while Nationally advertising the Medicare parts C and D coverage through United Health Care, when I went to register during the enrollment period, I was told that the Medicare Part C portion was NOT AVAILABLE IN MY GEOGRAPHIC AREA and they proceeded to charge me MORE than the amount of other supplements that cover Both C and D JUST FOR A PRESCRIPTION PLAN.
I found coverage elsewhere, and then after a few days, I got a call from them and a 'sorry to hear that" when I explained why I am NO LONGER INTERESTED in anything that they had to sell.
WE have the AARP life insurance with New York Life. Does anyone know if there is a problem with them and do they pay off on the poilcy?
It will be more than 150,000 as more of us pull our memberships or let the membership lapse. It wouldn't surprise me to find out some of the renewals were auto-renewals/subscriptions instead of current/intentional responses.
I have been talking this with friends and family in past year of so, folks that run small businesses around the country.
Their biggest problem – providing good health care coverage to their employees, the costs of health care has gone up 10 times in past 15 years or so since 94 (when someone tried to fix it first).
Due to lack of healthcare, they are not able to hold good folks, and turnaround/attrition is high, impacts the small business very day as they are unable to compete with big business effectively. They would love to have something that can solve this problem.
Another one, lots of great minds are stuck in their corp jobs just because of afraid of loosing healthcare, think if all these folks break out of these shackles, how much innovation, new inventions/technologies and benefits it will unleash into the economy.
We need to think out of box, and its everyones problem, will benefit country in a big way, let's not politicize it, and oppose something good because it is proposed by Democrats/Obama.
I'm amazed there are still those of you out there who believe that those who oppose THIS health care bill oppose all health care reform. I personally don't know anyone who opposes health care reform. The system is broken- I don't know anyone who thinks otherwise.
How selfish – I have an employee medical plan and pay a premium every month but I am fortunate enough to have a good job. Why shouldn't people who through no fault of their own are unable to obtain health insurance at a reasonable price. I believe everybody should have access to health insurance. Many smaller companies either do not offer a health plan or people are unable to obtain insurance at all through their employer.
I long ago dropped AARP. it is an organization run by Washington insiders for insiders. There is no attempt to solicit input from members only to support liberal causes and it's own insurance business
AARP does a great job. Yes they sell insurance, but their policies are a good value and high quality offerings. My daughter works in the medical field and sees all the senior supplementary plans and what they pay for and recommends the AARP plans highly.
Medicare Advantage is the first step (instituted by Republicans) to end medicare. The next step is vouchers and good bye to Medicare as we know it. Medicare Advantage is subsidized at a 12-14 % higher rate then Original Medicare. It therefore cost taxpayers more and is a boondooggle for the insurance companies and AARP is correct to support cuts to Medicare Advantage.
The best thing for Medicare is to end Medicare Advantage and have only Original Medicare. Original Medicare delivers high quality healthcare at a great price point. As more then one of my Doctors has said
"We love Original Medicare but don't accept the Advantage Plans".
In other areas AARP is a great voice for Seniors. In many cases the only loud, consistent support we have. My wife and I use some of their recommended products, read their magazines and appreciate their lobbying on our behalf.
The AMA (American Medical Association) has charted a parallel course with the AARP by offering support to the current sham of health care reform under the guise that the organization speaks for all physicians. 85% of physicians in the US do not belong to the AMA because the organization does not accurately represent physicians as a whole. The AMA is to the contrary of the majority of local and regional medical societies as well as nearly all of the professional specialty related medical societies. The AMA and AARP are clear examples of how organizations as such have hijacked their purported constituents as well as our country. There is no doubt that America needs health care reform. But not the ramrod way....
Hey Dems, stop insulting the Conservatives! Everyone KNOWS the health care system must be fixed!
What conservatives want is to cut the costs. Our biggest outrage is how this change is handled by the majority Democrats. By stealth, lies and deals behind closed doors. It is NOT an "open process" There should also be more health care options to choose from.
Yes, choose, not forced.
AARP will not get my dues again! I will instead join Gen.A (www.generationamerica.org) They will also offer insurance soon
The American people do not want this reform yet it is being forced on us by a group of people who have exempted themselves from having to participate. If this is such a wonderful thing why aren't they participating?
I am very disappointed that AARP supported this when it's the Seniors who will be effected the most. I have cancelled my membership.
I intend to make my voice heard in the next election. You will all be looking for new jobs.
AARP has been imploring me to join since I turned 60 seven years ago. I knew then and still understand that this is a for-profit insurance agency, not some altruistic senior support organization. I haven't joined and never will. I urge another million seniors to quit.
The fear machine of the gop and teabaggers is running on all cylinders. now they're trying to make people afraid of having a health care system like every other advanced country in the world. just like they're spreading fear about financial bailouts (which was started by the bush administration btw), gays, terrorists, etc. what we should be afraid of is the current version of republicans' ability to govern or run anything. the health care reform isn't the greatest (thanks to republican obstructionism and certain "dems" like lieberman) but at least the dems and aarp are trying to improve things. don't give in to the fear people – everything will be fine, unless republicans come back into office of course to continue the wrecking job they did last time around...
My husband and I both quit AARP because it supports the healthcare bill. It is wrong, dangerous, hurtful, etc..
AMEN Timmy! I called right up when I heard they endorsed Obama madness. I will not be with AARP another year. I told they lost me! Clifton, AZ
AARP is a special interest group, plain and simple. they are going to make a killing if Obama's socialist health care plan goes through. And shame on our President and those Democrats who accuse Republicans of fear-mongering, when they themselves are the ones saying that millions of people will die unless this is passed!
The spending on the plan will not happen for a few years after passage, though taxing begins immediately.
Obama has already lied more than Bush did in 8 years. Bush did suck, but Obama sucks worse.
I very much wonder how many folks, pro and con, have actually read the current reform bills (2)? Way too many of these folks have not and are relying on right wing "experts" and left wing "experts" to tell them what is in the bill.
For myself, I have read the excutive summaries and find there are good points and bad points. Of course, those who never have even read these summaries will make out like they have.
The Nation has lost out on the very good input from the Rep/Senate Republicans. These GOP types took themselves out of the ball game early on and continue do everything they can to embrassas the administration and the Democratic members of Congress. How much better would have the two different bills been had the GOP actually participated in the process? Now, we will never know.
I too have decided not to renew my membership with AARP. Its innsurance for seniors continued to increase each year. I went out to get quotes and found I could get better coverage for 1/3 the cost. Senior be ware! They could care less about the cost of insurance for people living on fixed income. It just increased every year regardless for I never had a claim.
Roe
what a crock this article is. you have ONE senior, Mr. Tice, who is furious. There are that many old men in my neighborhood who you can quote ripping just about anything. Your numbers are statistically irrelevant (there were only 150k out of 43M that were ticked? that's 3 tenths of a percent). And finally, your essential premise that they should be "more forthcoming" is ridiculous (I know you are attributing it to "expert", but the tone of your article makes clear your position, not to mention the title) since their insurance ads are on tv more than sports, soaps and tom & jerry reruns combined. Only a fool wouldn't have sussed this out by now (and even fools can listen to NPR where these numbers have already been discussed at AARP's insistence to ensure their position IS clear).
Just another thinly veiled piece of Republican pulp designed to defeat the bill for their own greedy, "I'm in bed with insurance on this", purposes. AARP as an organization is quite simply the most effective organization in the country at fulfilling the wishes of 99% of it's membership. Period.
I have no problem with AARP endorsing the health care bill...as long as it got something large and important in return from the administration. Play the game or leave the field. Apart from the political arean, the organization needs to refocus on providing benefits for its members. E.g., an organization with 40 million members ought to be able pretty much dictate reduced hotel, airline, etc. travel costs. Right now you can get the same prices by going to Travelocity type Web sites. Where does all that membership $$ go? I dropped my membership because I could not see any member benefits coming my way. Keep the ratty newsletter. And while I'm at, it's a joke to let anyone 50 years old be eligible for membership. Why not lower it to 40?! That way, AARP would have even more members that it really doesn't seem to care about. Repeat - The organization needs to refocus its mission and decide that its purpose is to provide enhance benefits for its members...and then follow through.
Bravo Robert Tice and those who join him here. I've been saying this for years that AARP is an insurance company. They are NOT interested in it's members and are all about money. I left AARP when they joined the insurance companies' fight for Rx drug changes years ago. How dare they support those rip-off pharmaceutical companies worming their way into Medicare Plan D!! AARP was a strong supporter of that. I cut up my card, mailed it back to them with a letter telling just what thought of their support of Plan D and haven't had anything to do with them since. Of course they still send me membership renewals every year because as we know they don't listen to us nor care about us.
Tino, NYC
indygal – go back and read the article again. It isn't 2 million new members it's 2 million new and renewed members. They won't say just how many are actually new members and membership in AARP has nothing to do with buying their branded insurance. Most members of AARP are and will continue to get the discounts for seniors that have nothing to do with health care. They also won't say how many memberships won't be renenwed this year, but still the 150k members who have quit is a pretty startling number.
I quit the AARP the day they announced their support for this Tax increase on the working Americans. I urge every member to think about quitting AARP as well. Is 10% off breakfast at Denny's worth the Governemnt take over of the health care industry? This Bill has nothing to do with reform, it is a backhanded tax increase on the minority worker in this great nation along with nothing short of another bailout of private industry (This time the health Care insurance industry, why that is the business AARP is in isn't it?Of course AARP think it is a great idea your tax dollars going to their profits.
Uh DID YOU KNOW the AARP LIFE INSURANCE cancels at 80, and goes up at age 70 and 75. There are many other insurance policies out there which will cover you until you die. By the time you are 80, you are likely uninsureable because of a likely health event, or it is too expensive. DROP your AARP insurance while you are young and get a FINAL EXPENSE policy. I know this because I replace AARP or hear the sob stories every day. Just had a lady pay on her dad's AARP policy for 17 years and he died at 80 years 2 weeks and she got NOTHING.
So, let me see if I have this straight...
AARP has 40 Million customers.
They lost 150,000 customers due to some partisan political fight...
And gained 2 million customers during the same time period.
And this is news, why???
Seriously, how is this newsworthy?
How can anyone say we do not need a revamp of our healthcare system – obviously, you aren't paying attention, or haven't had any experience of not being covered as part of employment of a company. As a self employed senior (61) caught in the gap before medicare, I have to tell you that we definitely need a revamp of the system. The insurance and drug companies are getting rich at our expense. My example: I'm what I consider healthy, non-smoker (never), not overweight, exercise but do have high cholesterol (medicated) and slightly elevated blood pressure (medicated). When I left corporate world in 1/2005 my insurance for husband and myself was $997.00 monthly. (We knew this would be our biggest bill). We moved from CA to NC (where BCBS is a monster monopoly) We were quoted $997 by BCBS for the policy, so we did all paperwork and joined. We then got our Welcome Packet that said, "Welcome to BCBS, your monthly payment will be $4,500 a month!" If I could pay that – I wouldn't even need health insurance. Luckily, I was able to get insurance under my son's company in Florida and it was $975.00 monthly. (BCBS – does that make any sense?) That went up every year and then I needed to get insurance in NC because of company changes, so then I got a lesser policy with higher deductibles, higher co-pays, and less coverage for $1,550 month. At renewal, it then went to $1,850 in 2009. Most of my visits had been yearly physicals! So – from 2005 – $997 to 2009 – $1850 it almost doubled and reduced coverage.
My husband just went into medicare and we now pay $1,200 month – which is still robbery as far as I'm concerned.
The costs of the prescriptions more than doubled and BCBS started putting in different tiers as to payment, so everything suddenly goes to higher costs. Yet the supplier nor manufacturer can explain why the costs would go up when all the research and development costs are over.
We need something that will bring the insurance and drug companies into line. I think the early enrollment into medicare – even if those joining paid a little more would help those of us being robbed.
If we make everyone buy public health insurance, they will just keep raking in the profits – just like oil companies and banks.
I've worked with many people from countries that have socialized medicine and they are happy. How can other free democratic societies figure it out and we just argue that we are turning into a less free socialistic, communistic, marxist society! Maybe everyone should stop all the arguing, pointing fingers, saying they have solutions (but never showing what those solutions are) and actually fix something.
You think their insurance business is substantial? You should take a look at their myriad mutual and other securities and off-brand funds and derivatives businesses!!!!! What they spend on Big Firm financial services lawyers to keep it all "straight-forward" and help invent new kinds of funds would astound anyone!!!
I find it ironic how some of the people fighting health care reform the hardest are senior citizens. They complain because our President sees a major hole in our healthcare system that is denying aid to people of all demographics and actually has the moral conscience to try to do something about it.
They complain about socialism, but they already benefit from Medicare and Medicaid. Isn't that a government handout? I relaize that we pay into this fund throughout our working lives, but what is paid in obviously does not cover the cost. The cost is so great that my generation may not even be able to benefit from it when we reach retirement.
I'm old enough to join AARP but haven't and don't plan on it, but I do plan on buying stock in it if possible.
I agree with Timmy. Whats the point in getting a college education (and paying for it) anmd working hard when i can collect welfare and get free healthcare
Just two questions – if the health care plan is good enough for most Americans, why does Congress insist on having its own plan and is it a coincidence that all the gas stations within a limited geographic area charge the same price- to the penny- without Congress doing anything about price fixing? The only answer is to stop Congressional payoffs if we want change.
I'm wondering what reform has been "universally applauded" by all members of the AARP. I bet even Medicare - which was vigorously opposed by the GOP, doctors and others - didn't even meet that standard.
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Money ALWAYS talks. I elect not to buy into this health insurance scam and now they are MANDATING people like me to take something so I can be a guinea pig for some pharma company probably.
The good news is it doesn't go into effect for a couple years...maybe I'll hop a plane to some third world country. This one has gone to the dogs.
Their name should be changed to CAARP. I will promise the AARP that my wife and myself will never join nor renew our membership. You are just as guilty as the politicians who lined their pockets. Within 2 years, your association will fall by the wayside and be replaced. How can you think this bill, which takes billions from Medicare, is good for the elderly. YOUNG PEOPLE beware! You have also been sold out because you will foot the bill for all of the terrible financial deeds our politicians have inflicted upon us. Before the government can spend a dollar on anyone, it must take it from someone else first. And guess who that is young people.... you. The only solution is to do your voting homework, and VOTE for a decent candidate, Republican or Democrat or Independent.
I have been quite disappointed that the only "benefit" I have seen since joining AARP is the hundreds of pieces of "old people" junk mail that I receive each year. Obviously AARP's business is, at least in part, a junk mail maketing business.
There is not "health care reform" before Congress. Only health care insurance reform. People want insurance companies to pay for each & every trip to the doctor whenever they they get the sniffle but want to complain when insurance premiums go up/\. Healthcare Savings Accounts are the way to go. don't go the doctor every time you get a cold. laws of supply & demand people. The greater the demand on a finite numbeer of doctors the higher the price. Doing something about the actual cost of healthcare is real health care reform. the othe is just so much BS,
AARP receives royalties from United Healthcare. But if one wants to check on the rep of any insurance company then go to ambest.com and check 'em out. A.M. Best is not getting a royalty payment.
I will become the 150,001 person to drop my membership! Everything that AARP is about anymore is Insurrance and not what they were orignally all about. Its a business now and I'm tired of them befriending us for profit. We need an organization that cares about us the senior and not about making billions of $$$! Warren
timmy is one funny guy.
The attitude of "we have ours, now you all can go without" is so
rampant these days. I am the only one covered in our family of 6 , due
to the fact that it costs $730 bucks a month to add my kids and husband to my health insurance.
Some of us have had circumstances beyond our control. Illness, accidents and other unforseen incidents that have forced us into
poverty and being uninsured.
Not everyone who has no health insurance is lazy and shiftless or trying to STEAL from you.
I was considering joining AARP, but my wife and I have decided that it is not in the best interest for us and our money. I do however understand that all companies are thery to make a profit and understand that what they do is also in the best interest for their company. But from all that I have read and listened to, it's pretty sad what they are trying to make seniors believe. Count me "not interested"