Regional news:
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) has endorsed the health reform bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, and touted by House Democratic leaders and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and praised by President Obama. (click here for story about AARP; click here for story about the bill’s passage)
However, the endorsement only tells part of the story.
As part of the health reform legislation, nearly $400 million (some estimates I have seen place it closer to $500 million) in Medicare spending will be slashed and Medicare Advantage will be ravaged. But, the Democrats assure seniors, those cuts in spending will be more than offset by increased spending by the fed as part of the new proposal.
The AARP has also stated that the Democratic health care reform proposal will not add one dime to the national deficit. “Our members are worried about financial security for their children and grandchildren,: said Bonnie Cramer, chair of AARP’s volunteer advisor board.
It won’t add to the national debt? Excuse me, but what planet is she from?
Every senior I have spoken to about this in the past few days (about 10) have said that they are against the plan. All are retirees, so I assume they carry their AARP cards and enjoy discounts on movies, travel and the other stuff that AARP is about.
A Rasmussen poll taken after the legislation was announced showed that more than 51% of Americans do not favor it. And every senior that I spoke to is against it. So how does the AARP get off saying that it is speaking for its 40,000,000 membership, or even half of its membership? The numbers just don’t add up.
AARP has been way too cozy inside The Beltway for way too long. And, it appears, its coziness has led it to be blind to what is actually in the best interest of its members: Cleaning up the fraud in Medicare and protecting its funding.
Anyone who knows anything about Medicare knows that it is rife with fraud, and this has a direct and financial impact on seniors’ pocketbooks, not to mention all taxpayers. In fact, the $90 billion of fraud each year (yes, billion with a “B”!) doesn’t even raise the ire of either the federal government or AARP, and both entities should be ashamed of their apathy.
A recent story on 60 Minutes highlighted how easy it is to defraud the government by ripping off Medicare. (watch the video below…it will make your blood boil) The agency is poorly managed and wastes billions of dollars. Yet, as the CBS News video shows, there are only three investigators in all of Florida! Where is the AARP on this?! Privately owned Medicare Advantage plans don’t face such fraud, because they are for-profit bodies that watch their money. As for the government and AARP, they are content to sit back, allow Medicare to continue to be ripped-off and underfunded, and create a new agency that will be the granddaddy of all government agencies.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
36 Responses to “Congress touts AARP endorsement, but seniors find themselves hijacked”
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Richard Christopher Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 11:51 amCount me and my wife as both of us being against this health care bill.
We are both seniors on Medicare and also (for now, but not much longer) members of AARP. This is just one big mistake that will cost us dearly. Not only will it raise federal taxes but it will double the Medicade costs to the states. The states cannot print money like the federal government does so there will be either increased state taxes or reductions in state services. Many other aspects of the bill stink as well.
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Pete Ziner Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 11:59 amI fear that AARP has undergone an ego trip, with a huge new office building and the trappings that go with that, and has lost its focus to look out for seniors. It appears that coziness with legislators has replaced the drive to protect the original foothold gained with AARP’s beginning.
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H Pope II Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:01 pmThe question to be asked: How does AARP benefit financially from the bloated bill. AARP has a big financial incenticve-selling insurance policies- to see this bill passed. They certainly did not endorse it because they are looking out for seniors
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John Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:03 pmHURRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! FINALLY! Somebody has SPOKEN UP about this SHAM! Thank You, Mr. Ondrusek!!
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Blaine Wollan Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:10 pmI will not be renewing my AARP membership when it comes up for renewal. This is totally unfair to seniors, especially those on limited incomes. The government doesn’t know how to implement any program without raising taxes or cutting needed benefits to seniors, and taxpayers in general. Shame on you AARP. Once again, it is all about minority percentages. Whatever has happened to doing what the majority wants. And to top it all off, AARP even sent me a link to my representative so that I could tell him to vote in favor of the proposed health bill instead of telling me to contact said representative and say how I really feel about the bill.
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Tom Dison Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:11 pmWow, a survey of 10 of your buddies – now that’s some serious science! Someone call Fox, STAT!
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Faye Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:12 pmWhat you are not hearing is how many people are tearing up those AARP cards. I called and cancelled my membership last night. As soon as I hung up the phone the cards were torn in half, and I’ll be sending it to the American Seniors Association. A message to AARP: “You want get any more money from me, nor can you count me in your membership”
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Sam Iam Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:14 pmI must also ask what planet you are from. The AARP has never shown the slightest concern for generations to come. For as long as I can remember, it has advocated and supported legislation that sacrifices the financial well-being and opportunities for future generations in order to gain some ephemeral perceived advantage for its constituency. I am now eligible by age to join this organization and carry its card. I refuse to do so, for exactly that reason. Thanks to our irresponsible government and the short-sighted fools who support it, particularly the AARP, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren already face formidable economic hardships. Any senior who is truly concerned about the well-being of his or her descendants needs to repudiate the AARP and resign membership TODAY!
-Samiam
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Kenneth Johnson Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:16 pmI am canceling my aarp
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Gary Thompson Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:16 pmJUST CANCELLED MY AARP MEMBERSHIP & ASKED FOR REFUND. I JOINED ASA (AMERICANSENIORS.ORG). IT IS EASY TO CANCEL – JUST CALL 1-888-687-2277 AND SPEAK TO A REPRESENTATIVE.
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kenneth j Klein Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:17 pmI am a senior and a current AARP member. The position AARP has taken is extremely disapointing. It appears their position is only for self-interest and endorsement fees they receive from a large medi-gap provider.I talk to a great number of seniors and a great MAJORITY are against healthcare reform as they feel it will only make them pay more for less benefits. Come on AARP, start representing the seniors, not your own money grubbing self interest!
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Joe Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:33 pmAARP are crooks and do not represent me or anyone else I know. As far as I am concerned they are no better than ACORN!
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Jeff Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:36 pmHave you actually read the legislation? I have, even at 1,900 pages its really not very long because the page length is largely due to the formatting and font choices. Almost HALF of the bill is addressed to Medicare, its really as much of a Medicare overhaul as it is a national healthcare overhaul. The bill contains A LOT of improvements for Medicare.
Look, we all know that Medicare Advantage and Part D are Trojan Horses that the Republicans put into Medicare in order to intentionally try to bankrupt it. The Dems are stupid, but they aren’t that stupid. Why are the Republicans falling all over themselves to defend what is clearly the most oney wasting aspect of Medicare? There is no question at all that MA is a wast of money and that its the least cost sustainable part of Medicare. Either you believe that Medicare should be put on sound financial footing so that it can be preserved, in which case you have to agree that MA needs to be reformed, or you want Medicare to go bankrupt, in which case you want MA to stay untouched, or you are simply uninformed and don’t know what you are talking about.
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george bekaert Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:38 pmI cannot believe AARP is going to sell us down the river on Advantage plans, that has to be due to the fact they are in Tight with United and get a nice sum of old peoples supplemental insurance.I tore up my card. I will pay full price at a movie that i hardly ever go to.
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HALL, J Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:40 pmAARP IS A TRAITOR TO OUR SENIORS
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Tony Ondrusek Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 1:32 pmTom, it wasn’t a survey, only anecdotal. Don’t you find it a bit troublesome that 10 out of 10 seniors don’t want the plan? Not eight out of 10, not five out of 10, not even one out of 10…do you think that a random “asking” of 10 seniors would net different results, or are you just not willing to admit that AARP members might actually be against what the staff and paid lobbyists seem to be for?
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TomT Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 1:39 pmI just canceled my membership. Even disregarding the impact on healthcare, Medicare, and insurance coverage, no of which are positive, this legislation is a major unconstitutional restriction on individual liberty. How can the AARP think it is good for seniors to force people to buy health insurance? The loss of liberty of one is a loss for all.
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milo janus Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 3:01 pm“Medicare Advantage plans don’t face such fraud”?? What planet are YOU living on, buddy? You think an ACE bandage really costs $50? That’s what my physician just charged my MA plan.
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milo janus Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pmOne thing I’m wondering… maybe one of you AARP haters can answer this… if AARP is really just an insurance company looking out for its own bottom line as you say, why in the world would they be in support of cutting Advantage and regulating insurers?
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Bill Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 3:43 pmJust cancelled my AARP membership
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Jim Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 5:27 pmYes, I spoke to 10 people the other day who think the world is flat, so it must be. As far as AARP goes (I’m a member), they sell insurnace for United Healthcare, one of the insurance corporations that is laughing all the way to the bank. And can someone please tell all my fellow seniors who are enjoying the benefits of having health insurance paid for by “We the people” to quit whinning about the healthcare bill(s). It’s time to join the rest of the civilized world and provide health care for all of our citizens. Single payer healthcare now!
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Lee Baker Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pmAnother AARP cancelation. They aren’t speaking for me so I’m no longer supporting the organization with my membership. My cancelation letter (with returned cards) requested a pro-rated refund. Doubt I’ll ever see a dime. But they won’t get another dime from me either!
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suze Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 5:51 pmI tore my card in shreds and dumped it in the garbage. AARP keeps sending me mail and I just toss it before I even get into the house. They aren’t for seniors. They can be bought by Nancy Pelosi.
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Jim Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 6:24 pmGet out of AARP. Look up their contact info, call the 888 toll free number and ask to have your membership canceled. I did. They don’t represent 40,000,000 members anymore.
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Rick Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 6:34 pmI’m a member of AARP and I support the Health Reform Bill. AARP has been polling it’s members for some time and there is broad support for the reform in the membership. Instead of asking 10 of your biased friends, how about doing some research and finding out what polls, studies, etc. AARP used to come to it’s conclusion.
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PMB Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pmCancelled AARP membership today. Long wait to get through. I wonder how many before me had called for the same reason. Will contribute my $16 refund to a group that ACTUALLY acts on my behalf.
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E. O. Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 10:40 pmThe currant Democratic bill is not the way to go. Listen to the people!
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E. O. Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 10:43 pmLet the people decide instead of the corrupt Demoratic majority in Congress that will soon be replaced by a more represenative body.
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Ben Says:
November 6th, 2009 at 11:57 pmCanceling my membership also AARP has sold out the seniors!!!!!!
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Mike Says:
November 7th, 2009 at 9:30 amIt just re-enforces the reasons i decided not to join AARP, it has come under the influence of the government and does not represent the people who are its members.
This will only change when people decide to let their memberships expire or if they cancel … -
Robert Johnson Says:
November 7th, 2009 at 5:49 pmAARP does not represent retired people. AARP is the marketing organization for United Health Care’s Medicare Supplement Insurance. Two thirds of AARP’s revenues in 2008 came from selling this insurance. Cutting Medicare Advantage funding will drive more people to buy this insurance. It is very clear what drives AARP to endorse this bill. It will bring them more money, power and influence. AARP is a sham.
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ELS Says:
November 8th, 2009 at 12:25 pmSeniors have to ask …. Does the AARP really care about what is best for them. After they decide that I hope they will do what I already have and that is, drop out of the organization.
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Richard Says:
November 9th, 2009 at 4:08 pmFinally got thru to AARP, & like so many others cancelled my membership.
To those of you who favor the goverment plan, I suggest that you look at what a catastrophy the delivery of N1N1 shots has been, a preview of what’s in store for all of us if this abomination becomes law!
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John Says:
November 10th, 2009 at 4:48 pmOne has to wonder how much impact the AARP’s rapidly shrinking membership will have on Obama and Pelosi’s once glowing praises of their support. How does one word-smith “Implosion”…………???
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Eileen Lewis Says:
November 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pmI am furious that our so called representation chose to support obamacare. i am in process of changing my current policies thru AARP and i will cancel my membership in AARP as soon as i can.
Eileen Lewis -
Eileen Lewis Says:
November 11th, 2009 at 3:39 pmi will only change my mind when AARP decides to serve in my best interest
